Malaysia bans Bruno

Malaysia has banned U.S. box-office hit Bruno, starring British actor Sacha Baron Cohen, because it highlights gay life and has gay sex scenes, an official said Tuesday.

Bruno following Baron Cohen's hit Borat centreson the adventures of a flamboyant gay fashion journalist from Austria.

An official from Malaysia's Film Censorship Board said the movie was considered unacceptable because of its story line, offensive language, jokes and racy nature. She declined to be named, citing protocol.

"It's banned because the story is based on gay life. There are a lot of sex scenes," she said. "It's contrary to our culture."

Gay sex, or "carnal intercourse against the order of nature," is punishable by up to 20 years in jail and whipping in Malaysia.

Sex toys, politically incorrect comments and jokes about religion also irked the censors, she said.

She said censors vetted the movie last month and the distributor was notified.

Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation of 28 million, has strict public morality rules, including those applying to entertainment.

U.S. R&B star Beyonce Knowles, who is scheduled to perform in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Oct. 25, has promised to wear conservative attire for the show.