MUSLIM-MAJORITY Malaysia has stopped playing the sexually charged song Despacito on public broadcast stations, said a minister today, after critics labelled it un-Islamic.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak told AFP that the ministry had received numerous complaints over the steamy lyrics of the reggaeton beat song, which has won international popularity.

“Despacito will not be aired on government-owned broadcast stations as we have received public complaints. The lyrics are not suitable to be heard.”

He said he hoped private television and radio stations would follow suit.

“For Malaysian private stations, we encourage them to practise self-censorship.”

Despacito, a racy track full of sexual innuendo featuring Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee, went viral soon after its release in January, and found an even wider audience in April when pop celebrity Justin Bieber sang in a remix.

The song, by Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi, has been named the most-streamed song of all time worldwide, and is popular in Malaysia.

Earlier, opposition Islamic party Amanah had urged the government to ban the Spanish song over its “sexy” lyrics.

Atriza Umar, chairman of the party’s women’s wing, described the song as “porn” and unsuitable for young children, warning that it could destroy the moral fabric of society.

“I regret that these problematic songs are not censored by ministries,” she said on Wednesday.

“I urge the authorities to ban this song and other songs that contain sexy and violent lyrics, which are not suitable, in accordance with Islam and our Eastern culture.”

Salleh admitted, however, that fans would still be able to download and listen to the song on other platforms. – AFP, July 20, 2017.