KUALA LUMPUR – The government should consider issuing red and yellow cards to international acts who do not adhere to guidelines set by the Central Committee for the Application For Filming And Performance (Puspal) when performing in Malaysia, said a PAS lawmaker.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PN) said the fiasco with The 1975’s frontman Matty Healy should serve as a lesson that guidelines are not sufficient.
“Having a yellow and red card system will be punitive so the bands who get carded will be banned from entering the country.
“I also urge the government to outright ban international acts that blatantly promote practices that are not acceptable in Malaysia,” he said during the committee-level debate on Budget 2024 for the Communications and Digital Ministry.
While Coldplay’s concert will go on tonight, he advised the relevant authorities to keep a close watch on the show.
Separately, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that the “kill switch” is in effect for tonight’s Coldplay concert at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here.
“(A kill switch) is one of the things discussed with the organisers. But so far, the discussions with Puspal and the organisers have been positive.
“The prime minister also mentioned that the band is supportive of Palestine. We are upbeat about the concert (tonight),” he said at a press conference at the Digital Transformation Leader’s CxO Summit at the JW Marriott Hotel here today.
The kill switch, which is for organisers to cut electricity and stop performances mid-show if the need arises, was introduced after Healy lambasted the government over laws affecting the LGBTQ community and shared an onstage kiss with his male bass player, Ross MacDonald. – November 22, 2023