A Kylie Minogue concert video has been banned in Malaysia, following a crackdown on sex, violence and obscenity by the Film Censorship Board.

The video, Kylie Live In Sydney, is among 195 titles to fall foul of the censors, who have recently tightened laws relating to the content of films and videos as a reaction to rising crime rates in the country.

However, they gave no reason for their decision to reject the Kylie video.

Other titles to be be blacklisted included Ally McBeal episode The Queen Bee, and two editions of hit sitcom Friends - The Video Tape and But I'm A Cheerleader.

We have to stop importing films that are not appropriate for our country

Shaari Mohamad Noor, Malaysian Film Board

"We imposed the ban after viewing thousands of titles over the last five months," said Board chairman Shaari Mohamad Noor.

He added that the move was in line with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's call for Malaysians to "hold on to good values and preserve the family institution".

Malaysia has some of the toughest censorship laws in the world, with television and film strictly vetted by the Board, which is under the authority of the Home Ministry.

Films are rated to guide audiences on the nature of the content, or banned outright if the material is considered inappropriate.

Ally McBeal also upset Malaysian censors

Scenes of kissing are often cut from films and TV shows, while swearing is usually erased altogether in an effort to protect family values among Malaysian citizens.

"In order for us to instil good morals and values in our people, we have to stop importing films that are not appropriate for our country," Shaari commented.

Possession, distribution or the sale of banned titles in any form is punishable by a maximum 30,000 ringgit (�5,200) fine and three years in jail.

Banned in Malaysia

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me The Prince Of Egypt Seven Years In Tibet Schindler's List Zoolander

However, a flourishing video piracy market ensures both banned films and those containing sexually explicit content are widely available.

The Board has a history of banning high-profile titles, including Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, animated feature The Prince Of Egypt and Oscar-winning drama Schindler's List. The latter was eventually released inheavily edited form.

More recently the Ben Stiller comedy Zoolander earned itself a ban because of a plotline in which an assassination attempt is made on the Malaysian prime minister.