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Malaysia Banned “Despacito” From State Radio For Obscene Lyrics

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August 23rd, 2017 – As summer comes to an end, we can almost be certain of one thing in our country: the four songs played non-stop on the radio will soon start to fade into airwave memories. Malaysia, on the other hand, began pulling the plug on a certain song last month. “Despacito” was banned from state radio and TV broadcasts in July after complaints over the content of the lyrics.

Coinciding with the ban, the song by Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee became the most streamed song of all time. The original version, along with the remix involving Justin Bieber, have a combined global count of more than 4.6 billion hits across streaming platforms.

The ban came as a directive from Malaysia’s governmental broadcaster Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).

“The song was filled with numerous sexual references and innuendos and thus wholly inappropriate to be aired by our national media outlets for our general public, especially children,” Communications Minister Salleh Said Keruak said. “As such, RTM will not be airing the song on any of its television or radio stations with immediate effect.”

While the earworm ditty may not be heard as often in Malaysia as it once was, “Despacito” can still be found on other broadcaster’s platforms.

“This decision applies only to RTM,” Keruak said. “All other TV and radio stations are guided by their own evaluation processes against the Communications and Multimedia Content Code.”

While the complaints allegedly came from numerous people upset over the sexual aspects of the song, one group lead the outpouring of opposition.

Amanah, the women’s wing of a Malaysian Islamist party, spoke to media outlets covering the group’s reaction.

“I see this as a serious matter as the song is being sung by young people without knowing the real meaning of the words,” Amanah official Atriza Umar told Reuters in a statement. 

In the United States, late-night host James Corden jumped into the debate and also reminded people that we probably still don’t know what the song is about.

What are your thoughts on Malaysia banning “Despacito” on state radio? Does this governmental decision affect the way you think about political correctness in our own country?

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60 thoughts on “Malaysia Banned “Despacito” From State Radio For Obscene Lyrics”

  2. By a show of hands how many complaining about “free speech” and “liberals” acutely realize Maylasia is NOT in America?

    I’ll wait….

  6. lol I don’t know if I should be saying “that’s not right” because it’s just a song or if I should be envying them because of which song it is

  8. I’m surprised to learn that the lyrics have any actual meaning. I seriously thought it was gibberish. I’m sorry. I only speak English and only know maybe a word or two of Spanish.

  13. Liberals believe in free speech until u say something they don’t like then they put on their black masks and burn down your city, then after they are done the media will tell you how tolerant they are

  15. Despacito obscene? Lol, you should here another spanish regueton singers. Or rap in general. The goverment was just irritated by the song which is understandable lol

  23. So if they ban that song then they should ban all rap? I mean if anymore all hip hop is unoriginal and not even tasteful. It’s about sex, drugs, money, boobs, ass and violence. So if they can ban a song in Spanish then ban all the shit ass rap the radio plays and play all Metal grunge music. 🙂 lol!

  27. I mean I like the song. I’ve never really understood why you can’t say “god damn” or “bitch” or “fuck” on the radio but you can talk about your trap house gang related crimes and drug money. It’s always been messed up how they “censor” but they know if they ban every song with things of that nature nothing would get played

    5. it’s your wording. so their protesting against free speech, or are they for free speech? I’ve reread it a few times and still trying to grasp it myself.

    7. Alejandro: the wording is not that hard:

      “The idea” main subject.
      ” is absolutely astounding to me.” The guy’s response.

      ” that someone could call themselves “Liberal,” then turn around and rally against free speech” key to what the idea is.

      “that someone could call themselves “Liberal” ” is idea part 1.

      “then turn around and rally against free speech” is idea part 2.

      “turn around” indicates contraryness.

    13. No where in the article did it say liberal, its the government of Malaysia putting a ban on the song, same way we don’t allow nudity on public television some other countries are more stricter.

    16. I was referring to the same drive toward censorship in America, and the bickering in the comments.

      Liberals are not opponents of Free Speech. Leftist Authoritarians are opponents of Free Speech.

      Someone who opposes free speech in any way is NOT liberal. Liberals fought the British. Liberals fought for equality. Liberals fought the Nazis, and they fought the Communists. Calling modern Western Leftists “liberal” is no different from calling N. Korea a “Democratic People’s Republic.”

    17. C Patrick Powell just give up….the fact theyvare referring to the article or saying this is malaysia just further proves they have no idea what you said

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