Despacito is the most-played track in the world – but Malaysians won’t be singing along
An Islamic party earlier denounced the song and called for it to be kept off Malaysia’s airwaves as many young children were singing the song without understanding the words
Muslim-majority Malaysia has stopped playing the sexually charged song Despacito on public broadcast stations, a senior minister said after critics labelled it un-Islamic.
Salleh Said Keruak, communications and multimedia minister, said his ministry received numerous complaints over the steamy lyrics of the reggaeton beat song that has won international popularity.
“Despacito will not be aired by the government-owned broadcast stations because we received public complaints. The lyrics are not suitable to be heard,” he said.
Salleh urged private radio stations to censor the song themselves out of sensitivity to local culture.
An Islamic party earlier denounced the song and called for it to be kept off Malaysia’s airwaves as many young children were singing the song without understanding the words.
“We respect the right to be entertained but there should be clearer guidelines so that the entertainment does not spoil people but makes them better,” party official Atriza Umar told The Star newspaper.