Kelantan Umno Youth today questioned the appropriateness of the state government's decision in allowing Wali Band, a popular band from Indonesia, to stage a concert in Kota Bharu tonight, saying that it was purely politically motivated.

Its chief Anuar Safian said it was indeed a shock to know that the state government, which used to prohibit such concerts, was now prepared to do anything to get the support of the younger generation.

"Prior to this, a concert like this is deemed haram (prohibited) because it involves the mingling of men and women, but what is the excuse for them to allow this foreign band to perform here now?

"Will there be no mingling of men and women during the concert? Don't we have a great Nasyid group that we can invite to perform?" he told reporters after the presentation of school bags to special students by Kota Bharu education officer Che Ab Aziz Daud.

NONEWali Band is scheduled to perform at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in a charity concert for Palestine, organised by the Palestine mission secretariat with the cooperation of the state government.  

Yesterday, the organiser of the concert was reported as saying that the concert was yet another opportunity for the public to help the victims of Israeli brutality in Palestine.

Anuar said that allowing the concert in the state was tantamount to holding a concert on new year's eve, which would be no different from other new year festivities.

Kelantan PAS commissioner III Nik Mohd Amar Abdullah, when contacted, declined comment on the matter.  

- Bernama