Malaysian B1A4 Fans Reportedly Face Potential Jail Time After Fan Meeting Controversy

Three Malaysian fans of K-pop group B1A4 may be in trouble with the law. Under Malaysian law, several fans that interacted with B1A4 members at a recent fan event may be fined or face time in prison. 

On January 12, Malaysian news outlets reported that the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department, known as Jawi, was seeking several people who had attended B1A4's January 10th performance in the country. A representative of Jawi explained that the three women had acted indecently in public, against the laws of Islam, and therefore face fines or jail time.

Several women had been filmed embracing the five B1A4 members in fancams as part of the activities of the fan meeting, which goes against Islamic law that is enforced in Malaysia. Following the video going viral, there were accusations of B1A4 sexually harassing the women.

Jawi director Paimuzi Yahya issued a statement stating that the actions of both the female fans and B1A4 were against Islamic thought and offended the Muslim community, reported The Star Online.

"The Jawi enforcement division has opened an investigation under Section 29 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1977 (Act 599 Indecent Acts in Public Places)," Yahya said in the statement.

"Those who are involved are asked to come forward to help in the investigation."

Paimuzi also explained that Act 1977 relates to people behaving indecently and contravention to Islamic law in public place. The punishment is either six months jail time or a fine of RM1,000 (around $278 USD or 300,000 Korean Won).

TGM Events, the organizer for the fan meeting, issued a statement with an apology for the misunderstanding and said that the fans had gone willingly.

"We apologize in all sincerity for the problems caused to the artist and their fans caused by these reports," they said. "In future events, we will take into consideration the cultural and religious implications of the interaction between fans and artists." 

TGM also said that it wouldn't condone any sexual harassment, and that it wouldn't share the identity of the participants of the event.  

B1A4's entertainment company, WM Entertainment, also issued a statement, saying that the company will be more cautious and considerate of local cultures in the future.

Malaysia has one of the largest Muslim populations in Southeast Asia, and Islamic rule is intertwined with English common law when involving members of Malaysia's Muslim population.