The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has summoned the owner of Mahahang Productions – organisers of the Miss Grand Cambodia beauty pageant – to answer for widely condemned costumes in a TV presentation which offended a number of Cambodian cities and provinces.

Long Bonna Sirivath, Secretary of State and spokesman for the Ministry of Culture, said that the owner of Mahahang Productions, Mr. N Sophin, must attend the Ministry to make a contract to stop activities that are contrary to Khmer tradition and morality.

The controversy came about after an ill-advised broadcast on the 24th of August.

Poipet and Bavet cities complained that the costumes ‘representing’ their cities glamourized gambling – with the costumes being based around playing cards and dice.

Meanwhile, Stung Treng provincial authorities launched an official complaint concerning the costume (below) representing the province, in which a woman – partially revealing both her breasts and genital area – was displayed as being a representative of the province.

Provincial authorities stated ‘This is a serious insult to the good traditional culture of Cambodia, especially the honor of our Cambodian women.

The Stung Treng Provincial Administration would like to reject the use of this representative costume in the name of Stung Treng Province for the show without the permission of the Provincial Administration, and this costume does not reflect the traditional dress in Stung Treng Province.’

The Ministry also advised the owners of this production to pay attention and be inspected by the Ministry before performing at on stage or before broadcasting something related to Khmer traditions and culture, especially the characteristics of identity in various areas.

Mahahang Productions could not be reached for comment.

• Tags: Miss Grand Cambodia