RTM stops airing Despacito song

PUTRAJAYA: Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) will cease broadcasting the global hit song, Despacito, on all its radio and television stations immediately, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.
He said the RTM evaluation panel decided to withdraw the approval to play the song after a re-evaluation.
"As such, RTM is ceasing the broadcast of the song on its radio and TV stations with immediate effect," he said after attending an Aidilfitri open house of the ministry here yesterday.
Several quarters have called for the broadcast of the song to be stopped, alleging obscene lyrics.
Parti Amanah Negara women's wing, Awan, said it was disturbing to have youngsters enjoying the song by Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi and rapper Daddy Yankee without knowing the meaning of its lyrics.
Its Art and Culture Bureau chief, Atriza Umar, said: "Even Malay radio channels are playing the song, causing an almost out-of-control phenomenon.
The official video of Despa-cito received its two billionth view on YouTube on June 16 after 154 days, making it the fastest video on the site to reach the milestone.
By today, it had recorded 2.658 billion views. Bernama