Ink on the body is not a stain on the country

LETTER | I recently read the news that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is looking to take legal action against the organisers of the Tattoo Malaysia Expo 2019, following allegations of attendees "parading" around the premises semi-naked.

In regards to that announcement, I would like to ask, what exactly is the issue here?

First off, I would also like to highlight that according to the official event website and banners placed throughout the event, this tattoo conference is supported by the ministry itself along with the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau.

In other words, this event is fully endorsed by the ministry. For them to do so, wouldn’t the ministry be required to conduct their due diligence to ensure that the event falls within the parameters or “conditions”, that the ministry themselves has set out?

For a tattoo convention, has it not crossed the ministry’s mind that there will be half-naked people walking around proudly displaying their arts? 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, then it would make sense. However, that is counter-intuitive of 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 Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, is it not your duty to not restrict, but instead, further the culture of body arts?

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, for which sets 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-doors 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 the nudity that was purposefully 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, sharing the same interests and promoting their love of their works internally among their own community. I find this perfectly acceptable.

Need I remind that these sorts of events have been conducted multiple times without an issue in the past in Kota Kinabalu, 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 different countries, contributing valuable tourism tax dollars to the nation.

Malaysia’s name has been tarnished multiple times throughout the Pakatan Harapan rule. From refusing to sign the ICERD to refusing the extradition of Zakir Naik and even to go as far MPs complaining that Parliament’s air-conditioning is “too cold”. We have been ridiculed on an international stage for far too long. 

Has the landslide loss in Tanjung Piai taught the government anything? I urge the government to seriously think twice before issuing unwarranted statements and threatening to issue lawsuits without a justifiable reason.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.