Sexy ads banned in Seberang Prai

BANNERS, posters and billboards with sexy models are banned in Seberang Prai, Penang.

Companies with such advertising tactics can be slapped with a RM250 fine per advertisement with the amended Advertisement bylaw 2001 passed on Dec 17 by the Seberang Prai Municipal Council.

The amendment is to ensure models that appear in the advertisements are decently dressed.
Councillor Soon Lip Chee said the models should not expose their bodies.

"Their poses should reflect the Malaysian culture and not be provocative," he said.

Soon said some parents had complained to him that such advertisements had offended them and their children.

He said most of the "sexy" advertisements were those that promoted undergarments, slimming products, aphrodisiacs and cosmetics as well as those offering traditional massage.

Soon said the previous guidelines did not provide a clear picture on the use of visuals and the sense of dressing in advertisements.

"They merely touched on the usage of languages in the advertisements.

"So, this amendment is necessary to help check moral decay among our society," he said.