MY's tourism ministry investigates tattoo expo for semi-nude modelling

Malaysia's Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) is taking action against the organiser of the recent Tattoo Malaysia Expo 2019 after a photograph featuring semi-nude modelling went viral on social media, Bernama reported. Among the list of participating brands include Traders Hotels by Shangri-La, Omakase + Appreciate, and SS Maju Global Logistics.

According to Bernama, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Mohamaddin Ketapi, he has ordered the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCeB) to investigate the issue.While it was a closed-door event, Mohamaddin Ketapi said "it had breached the norms of morality" and while such an international event will benefit Malaysia's tourism industry, it is "not the best way" and is not reflective of Malaysia", Bernama reported. The expo was also previously held in 2015 and the minister said no such incident occurred in public previously.

He added that Malaysia is "full of manners and morals" and that MOTAC never approved semi-nude modelling, saying that "it is impossible" the ministry would approve an application with "obscene elements". According to Mohamaddin Ketapi, legal action will be taken if the organiser was found to have violated the conditions.

Meanwhile, MyCEB said the Royal Malaysia Police have brought in the event organisers in to give a statement. Quoting MyCEB, Bernama reported that the bureau supports the organisation of the expo, and organisers are required to adhere to all current terms and conditions for any event approval.

According to the Tattoo Malaysia Expo 2019's website, the event is supported by Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, Malaysia Convention and Exhibition, and Tourism Malaysia. The website added that it was founded by Carlos Micheal, the owner of Koiyak Gloves which produces non-powdered gloves for body artists. The expo featured artists from Borneo, Thailand, Mexico, Switzerland, Japan, New Zealand and the Philippines.

(Read also: Challenging the tattoo stigma: Ad land shares inspiration on getting inked)