BLACK metal groups are not welcome in Malaysia, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday

Deputy Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Datuk Wong Kam Hoong said in this regard, a foreign black metal group called Mayhem would not be allowed to perform in Malaysia.

"We will stop them from coming in and investigate how an advertisement promoting the group's performance in a club in Kuala Lumpur was allowed in a local Malay tabloid."

He told MPs not to worry as he would act immediately.

"I am sickened by the lyrics of this group. We will block their entry even though we have not received any application for the group to perform here," Wong said when winding up debate on the 2006 Budget.

Datuk Idris Haron (BN-Tangga Batu) had earlier brought to the attention of the House an advertisement in Harian Metro on Nov 25 announcing the band's performance in Backroom, Kuala Lumpur on Feb 4 as part of its Asian Legions Tour.

Idris had asked MPs to look at the band's symbol in the advertisement.

"It is anti-Christ, anti-all other religions, and anti-establishment. It promotes devil worship.

"We are 100 per cent against the band performing here."

He said Mayhem, which was established in 1983, was considered the "godfather" of black metal groups, and its members had names like Hellhammer, Blasphemer, Atilla and Necrobuther.

"Mayhem encourages its followers to worship the devil and burn churches. Its motto is ‘Bringing Hell to Your Doorstep'.

"The group once created controversy when it threw the severed head of a pig at its followers while the singer cut himself with a knife."

Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainudin Raja Omar (BN-Larut) said the Government should act immediately to ensure youths stayed away from such groups.

Idris had earlier also brought the matter up during question time.

He raised the issue again during debates on the allocation for the Ministry of Youth and Sports, urging the ministry to also look into the matter.

On another matter, Wong said the ministry would once again make a bid to put George Town and Malacca on Unesco's World Heritage List.