anti-BlackMetalism

[prozak at anus.com]

Malaysian state bans 'black metal' music
August 3, 2001 Posted: 9:13 AM EDT (1313 GMT)
 
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- A Malaysian state is to officially declare 
a form of heavy-metal music forbidden, or "haram," for Muslims. 

Southwestern Negri Sembilan state is making the move to support this 
week's decision by the country's Islamic leaders to outlaw "black 
metal" because of its impact on youth. 

"We will gazette (the decision) as a fatwa (Islamic edict)," Negri 
Sembilan Chief Minister Mohamed Isa Abdul Samad Mohamed told 
reporters. 

Earlier this month officials said they discovered that a cult, based 
on heavy-metal music, was promoting anti-social behavior and 
occultism among youth in some northern states. 

Religious leaders said they found "Satanic" objects -- necklaces of 
skulls and references to animal sacrifices in amateur "fanzines" 
devoted to what is labeled black metal. 

Authorities said this week that all foreign rock groups planning to 
perform in the country would have to submit a concert video for 
approval. 

The heavy-metal crackdown comes as Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad 
defends a ban on political gatherings and police confirm four more 
opposition figures have been arrested under harsh internal security 
laws. 

The Malaysian Human Rights Commission has issued a report calling the 
ban a needless curb on freedom of expression and urged the Malaysian 
leader to overhaul laws on political gatherings. 

The ban, imposed by police on security grounds, has hit opposition 
parties that gained ground against Mahathir in the 1999 general 
elections. Human rights groups say it is aimed at stifling dissent 
against Mahathir's 20-year rule. 

Fundamentalists have emerged as the most potent challenger to 
Mahathir's ruling United Malays National Organization. Both compete 
for votes among Malay Muslims, the predominant ethnic group in this 
Southeast Asian nation of 23 million people. 

The arrests marked the first time that the Internal Security Act, 
which allows for detention without trial, has been wielded against 
the Islamic party in many years. 

The country's human rights group, appointed by the government 
following intense criticism of the sacking and jailing of former 
deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim in 1998, has urged an end to the 
permit requirements. 

Malaysians are increasingly demanding civil and political liberties 
and it is "imperative for the government to respond to the changing 
political climate," their report said. 

It urged police to show restraint in dispersing rallies, saying there 
had been numerous complaints of people being assaulted and fired at 
with chemically laced water. 

But their recommendations are not likely to go far as the commission 
has no enforcement powers and acts only in an advisory capacity. 

Mahathir, who has put a priority on political stability and rapid 
economic development during his long rule, said Friday he would not 
allow Malaysia to be ruined at the expense of absolute freedom of 
speech. 

The size of protests has fallen hugely from the tens of thousands of 
people who took to the streets 
in 1998 after Anwar, the heir-apparent, was sacked and jailed amid 
disputes with Mahathir over 
how to handle the Asian economic crisis. 

Anwar has been sentenced to prison terms totaling 15 years for 
corruption and sodomy. He claims he was framed in a conspiracy to 
prevent him from challenging Mahathir for power. The government 
denies it. 

http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/08/03/malaysia.ban/ind
ex.html

-- 
Backup Rider of the Apocalypse
www.anus.com/metal/
DEATH AND BLACK METAL