THE Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has launched an investigation and plans to take legal action against the organiser behind the Tattoo Malaysia Expo 2019, following allegations of attendees “parading” around the premises semi-naked.
I would like to ask, what exactly is the issue here?
According to the official event website and banners placed throughout the event, this tattoo conference was supported by the ministry itself, along with the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCeB). In other words, this event was fully endorsed by the ministry.
For them to be able to do so, wouldn’t the ministry be required to conduct due diligence to ensure that the event fell within the parameters that the ministry itself set out?
For a tattoo convention, did it not cross the ministry’s mind that there will be half-naked people walking around displaying their art? Is it not the status quo?
Unless there is an explicit statement by the ministry telling the organisers that participants are to be fully clothed throughout the event, it would make sense.
However, that is counter-intuitive to what is supposed to be a tattoo conference!
I would understand if the announcement was made by the Ministry of Religious Affairs but as the tourism, arts and culture ministry, is it not your duty to promote body art rather than restrict it?
Which leads to the next point — body tattoos are, in fact, part and parcel of the indigenous East Malaysian culture.
Traditional Iban tattooing practice is deeply associated with headhunting and is synonymous with the coming-of-age ceremony for men, also known as bejalai. Some of these indigenous tribes are also proudly showing their tattoos “semi-naked”, within and outside of their respective communities. Would you like to prosecute them as well for public indecency?
Speaking of which, which set of laws will the ministry prosecute the event organisers with? Promoting public indecency?
There is nothing public about the tattoo conference because it is a fully closed-door event.
Only ticket holders can participate in the event, where minors are not allowed.
For those who are against tattoos, they would not even get the chance to catch a glimpse of a semi-nude tattoo model, let alone participate in the event.
Even if these models prance around publicly, according to Section 509 of the Penal Code, it is nudity that was intended to negatively affect the people who saw it that will be properly prosecuted.
These tattoo enthusiasts are not here to threaten the public with their displays of body art. Conversely, these are passionate people, promoting their love of their works internally among their own community.
Need I remind that these sorts of events have been conducted multiple times without an issue in the past in Sabah, with the same level of nudity.
I believe that it is extremely unwise for the minister to make such a statement publicly without prior assessment.
To do so, discourages organisations to host similar events in the near future — events that have seen delegates from 35 countries contributing tourism tax dollars to the nation.
I urge the government officials to think twice before issuing unwarranted statements, and threatening to issue lawsuits without a strong justifiable reason.
JAHAZIAH LIM
Petaling Jaya, Selangor