Welp, we’d be lying if we said that we didn’t see this one coming.
Earlier today, Angkatan Wanita Amanah Nasional (AWAN) released an official statement on their Facebook page urging Malaysian radio stations to pull the song because of its “sexually explicit” lyrics.
AWAN Arts and Culture chairperson Atriza Umar expressed her concern over the young children who were singing the song without actually understanding the Spanish lyrics. “The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) needs to play a role in the urgency of such issues that can spoil the morale and entertainment of society in this country,” she wrote.
And play a role, they did.
About an hour ago, news surfaced that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has banned “Despacito” from the government-owned Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) TV and radio channels with immediate effect after a public complaint was reviewed by RTM’s panel.
FMT quoted minister Salleh Said Keruak as saying, “RTM has stopped the song on all RTM radio stations and over RTM TV with immediate effect,” adding that RTM’s panel has decided to withdraw the approval of the song.
Salleh went on to explain, “Radio airwaves are but one of the many channels through which the public, especially the younger generation, hear those songs. As such, we ask the radio stations to be sensitive to local norms and apply self-censorship of the song, be it by stopping the airplay or audio deleting part of the song.”
However, Salleh is aware that the song can still be accessed through other means i.e. online.
“Despacito”, which features the vocals of Justin Bieber, topped the charts of 45 countries and reached the top 10 of 9 others, making it both Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s most successful single to date. It became the first song primarily in Spanish to top the Billboard Hot 100 since “Macarena” (Bayside Boys Mix) in 1996.
Just in case you were wondering, the full English translation of the song is as follows:
Yes, you know that I’ve been looking at you for a while
I have to dance with you today
I saw, that your look was calling me
Show me the way that I’m going oh
You you are the magnet and I’m the metal
I’m getting closer and I’m setting up the plan
Just the thought of it accelerates the pulse
now I’m enjoying it more than usual
All my senses are asking for more
This must be taken without any trouble
Slowly
I want to breathe your neck slowly
Let me tell you things in your ears
So that you remember when you’re not with me
Slowly
I want to strip you off with kisses slowly
Sign the walls of your labrynth
And make your whole body a manuscript
Turn it up turn it up….. turn it up, turn it up
I wanna see you dance
I wanna be your rhythm
I want you to show me
Your favourite places places places Places
Let me surpass your danger zones
To make you scream
And forget your name
If I ask you for a kiss , come give it to me
I know that you’re thinking about it
I’ve been trying for some time
Mommy this is giving and giving it
You know that your heart with me makes you bom bom
You know that this baby is looking for my bom bom
Come test my mouth to see what it taste like to you
I want to see how much love do you have
I’m not in a hurry, I want to do the trip
Let’s start slowly then wildly
Step by step, soft softly
We are going to get caught little by little
When you kiss me so skillfully
I think that you’re malicious delicately
Step by step, soft softly
We’re going to get caught, little by little
And it’s just that this beauty is a puzzle
But to put it together here I have the pieces
Slowly
I wanna breathe your neck slowly
Let me whisper things into your ear
So that you remember if you’re not with me
Slowly
I wanna strip you off with kisses slowly
Sign the walls of your laberinth
And make your whole body a manuscript
Turn it up
I wanna see you dance
I wanna be your rhythm
I want you to show me
Your favourite places
Let me surpass your danger zones
Till I make you scream
And forget your name
Slowly
We will do it on the beach in Puerto Rico
Till the waves scream dear lord
So that my seal stays with you
Step by step, soft softly
We’re going to get caught little by little
I want you to show me
Your favourite places places places Places
Step by step, soft softly
We’re going to get caught little by little
To make you scream
And forget your name
Slowly
The official video for “Despacito”, which features Miss Universe 2008 Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico, received its two billionth view on 16th June after 154 days, making it the fastest video on the site to reach the milestone.
With its 3.3 million certified sales plus track-equivalent streams, “Despacito” is one of the best-selling Latin singles in the United States.
Will other radio stations in Malaysia follow suit? Your guess is as good as ours.
Source: AWAN Nasional, capitalfm.com, Despacito Wiki, FMT / Featured image: YouTube screenshot.
