KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is “very open for business” to international artiste performances and is committed to reviewing the associated regulations to streamline the processes involved, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
In the wake of the fiasco involving British band The 1975 recently, Fahmi said the ministry aims to review guidelines made by the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal), to refine the coordination between agencies within the committee.
He added that while the government does not take an active role in selecting foreign performers, its responsibility lies in facilitating the necessary procedures for hosting foreign artists. The government would permit their entry into the country on the condition that they adhere to local laws and customs.
“One of the reasons why we (the government) want to review the Puspal guidelines, and engage with organisers (on this matter), is to indicate to the industry and the broader general public that Malaysia is (still) open for concerts,” Fahmi told Scoop.
“We have very clear laws and guidelines. If you (artistes) feel they don’t suit you for whatever reason, it’s fine – that is your choice.
“We want to show that Malaysia is open (for international performances) but we do have laws and local customs, those considerations are still there.”
Fahmi, who is also PKR information chief, said legal action taken against organisers or artistes who flout local laws was not decided by Puspal, but rather certain agencies within the outfit.
Fahmi explained that the Puspal committee, which is responsible for assessing filming and performance applications by foreign artistes and entertainers, consists of about 16 separate government agencies.
As such, he reiterated his stance on the need to review and upgrade the fuction of Puspal, so that the outfit’s agencies were more cohesive.
Fahmi also shared that there is currently a discussion with the Finance Ministry to reduce the entertainment tax, as well as to lower the ‘withholding tax’ for film crews and actors.
The witholding tax for foreign artistes, musicians, entertainers, athletes, and other personalities is currently at 15% of their gross payment.
Malaysia came under the international spotlight after the government cancelled the three-day Good Vibes Festival on July 22, a day after The 1975 frontman Matty Healy chastised the Malaysian government’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws during the band’s set. Healy then proceeded to kiss his male bandmate Ross MacDonald on stage during the festival’s first night.
After the cancellation of the Good Vibes festival, The 1975 also abruptly dropped its scheduled performances in Jakarta, Indonesia and Taipei, Taiwan.
Subsequently, singer Ari Leff – better known as Lauv – cancelled the Kuala Lumpur leg of his ‘Between Albums’ tour, which had been scheduled for September 6 and 7.
While the reasons for Lauv’s cancellation were due to “unforeseen circumstances”, some speculated that it was related to the axing of Good Vibes, and after the singer made public his status as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Asked whether the ministry’s decision to cancel Good Vibes could create a domino effect on the possible cancellation of future concerts, Fahmi opined that artistes have a separate commercial contract with organisers without involving Puspal.
“We need to understand that artistes are engaged in a commercial enterprise. If it makes commercial sense to them, they’d do it (perform in certain regions).
“(Malaysia’s) policies and guidelines are clear. But, if the commercial transaction is a hurdle, we cannot help that,” he added.
Nonetheless, Fahmi shared that Malaysia Stadium Corp (PSM) chairman Datuk Hans Isaac had informed him that several stadiums are set to hold concerts until February next year. – August 4, 2023