KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia is set to gain from an economic spillover of RM80.25 million from hosting 21 concerts featuring foreign performers next year, the Communications Ministry said.
The 21 foreign acts slotted for 2025 are based on pre-applications submitted by concert organisers as of Oct 31 this year, it said in a parliamentary written reply dated Nov 7.
More concerts, including those by foreign performers, are expected, as the application requirement is just 14 days before the event is held, it added.
“Based on the record of concerns organised in 2023 and 2024, it is estimated that 200 concerts will be held in 2025. This amount may increase.
“(Of this), a total of 21 concerts involving foreign artistes will be held in 2025.
“The organization of these 21 concerts is expected to involve 160,500 spectators which will provide an economic spillover of RM80.25 million involving various sectors such as hospitality, rental, transport and food,” the ministry said.
The written reply was in response to Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar) who asked the ministry to list the concerts to be held in the country next year, and the amount of expected economic spillover.
The ministry through the Central Agency for Applications for Filming Foreign Films and Performances of Foreign Artists (PUSPAL) handles submissions from organisers to stage concerts here.
PUSPAL last year introduced a “kill switch” as part of its guidelines for concerts following the vulgar antics of 1975’s frontman Matty Healy at the Good Vibes Festival in 2023.
The kill switch, which aims to prevent issues deemed sensitive in Malaysia, such as support for the LGBTQ movement, was in effect for Coldplay’s concert at the Bukit Jalil stadium in November last year.
Coldplay’s and Blackpink’s concerts in Malaysia last year together contributed RM201 million to the country’s economy. In terms of tax collection, Blackpink earned the Malaysian government RM2.7 million, and Coldplay, RM8 million.
However, Malaysia lost out on the “Swiftonomics” phenomenon as US mega star Taylor Swift skipped the country for The Eras Tour but performed in neighbouring Singapore.
Concerts by foreign acts here have been a touchy subject for some, especially opposition party PAS, which regularly protests against foreign performers over dressing and “liberal values”. – November 8, 2024