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By SEAN YOONG, Associated Press Writer
Thu Sep 8, 2:45 PM ET

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - A young man's evening bowling with his prospective girlfriend then dining with her parents would seem the most innocent of dates. But not when millions of Malaysians are watching the courtship unfold on television.

"Looking for Love," the latest in a flurry of Malaysian reality TV programs patterned on Western productions, might be considered tame in countries where this kind of entertainment often thrives on scandal and sensationalism.

Nevertheless, the reality show boom in this Muslim-majority nation is facing criticism by religious and government leaders who say the foreign-inspired fare threatens traditional values and steers viewers toward moral and cultural corruption.

"These programs that promote extreme behavior should be banned," Harussani Zakaria, a prominent cleric with the Malaysian Council of Muftis, told The Associated Press. "We're supposed to be modest Asian people, but we risk our heritage when we borrow from the West's lifestyle."

Malaysia has one of the Islamic world's most modern and open societies, though officials have long warned that the popularity of American movies, TV shows and music could contribute to sexual indecency, decreased piety among youths and other social ills.

U.S. reality shows including "Survivor" and "American Idol" have been big hits here, making Malaysian adaptations inevitable. And just as inevitably, such spin-offs are upsetting detractors who insist Malaysians shouldn't take part in such shameful shenanigans.

A planned version of "Survivor" was scuttled partly because the idea of men and women living in close quarters would be unsuitable for Muslim contestants, production insiders say.

Meanwhile, "Malaysian Idol" and other talent shows have been reproached because male and female participants, who include Muslims and members of Malaysia's Buddhist, Christian and Hindu minorities, often wear tight-fitting outfits and hug and hold hands onstage.

Another controversy magnet is "Looking for Love," where 10 Muslim bachelors vie for the affection of 29-year-old Elly Zakaria. The men flirt innocuously with Elly, giving her kittens and teddy bears on innocent dates or group outings, while she boots them off the show one by one.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, who heads a government panel considering whether to impose formal guidelines for Malaysia's nearly 30 reality shows, has bluntly stated that "hugging scenes are not suitable" and warned contestants to "act decently."

"There are scenes in such programs that stray from the customs and cultural practices of our people in the East," Najib said, urging producers to instead develop reality programs that "help instill good values among the younger generation."

Networks have scrambled to defend their shows.

"Looking for Love" stresses the role of family and religion in choosing a partner, said the private channel TV3. In one episode, the men attend Islamic marriage instruction classes and debate whether they'd consider polygamy, which is allowed by Islam.

"Our reality programs are not just for entertainment," TV3 said in a statement. "They are filled with education and social responsibility in promoting positive traditional values."

While "Malaysian Idol" contestants were chided for their onstage antics, the show was hailed as a milestone for racial tolerance when an ethnic Indian Christian won the debut season. The latest winner of another show, "Akademi Fantasia," was praised by Muslims because he had previously won a Quran recital tournament and often spoke passionately about religion.

Still, new offerings indicate concessions are being made to conservative critics.

On the newly launched "Fear Factor Malaysia," contestants will likely be spared from eating bugs, worms and animal organs