KUALA LUMPUR – Police have warned the public against causing commotion or behaving provocatively during British band Coldplay’s concert at the Bukit Jalil national stadium tomorrow night.
In a statement today, Cheras police chief Zam Halim Jamaluddin said that authorities will not hesitate to take action against those found to have violated laws, either during or after the concert.
“The people are reminded to maintain good manners and to not provoke or cause chaos during or after the event. Police will take strict action against law violators.”
Pointing out the 75,000 fans who are expected to attend the sold-out concert tomorrow, Zam said that police have undertaken preparations involving multiple departments and units to guarantee public safety and order.
“As part of our security measures, body checks will be conducted at each entrance and after entering the stadium grounds,” he said.
“Police will not be held responsible for prohibited items seized during inspections.”
Some of the items which are not allowed to be brought into the stadium are firecrackers, helmets, laser pens, alcoholic drinks, power banks, bottled water, electronic cigarettes or vape devices, wooden or metal sharp objects, walking sticks or canes and lighters.
Drones and megaphones are also banned from the stadium premises.
Despite the high anticipation of the performance among fans, the Grammy Award-winning band’s appearance in Malaysia has received strong criticisms from several quarters, including religious leaders – mainly from PAS – who have called for its cancellation, owing to concerns over morality and the ongoing Israeli occupation of Gaza.
This led to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim informing Parliament today that he will be meeting with the Federal Territories mufti over the latter’s objection to the event. Anwar had also pointed out that Coldplay is an act that supported Palestinians.
Earlier, Federal Territories Mufti Datuk Luqman Abdullah had also joined the chorus of figures urging the government to call off tomorrow’s concert, telling the public to cease supporting the band.
Tickets to the show, ranging between RM228 and RM3,088, were sold out in three hours of being put up on sale online earlier this year.
Previously, concert organiser Live Nation Malaysia listed a string of rules for attendees of the Coldplay show, including a prohibition of banners carrying political messages or those related to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) movement.
Last month, the Communications and Digital Ministry said it will be instructing concert organisers to have a “kill switch”, following an incident involving British rock group The 1975 which led to the cancellation of the Good Vibes Festival in July.
The axing of the event came after the band’s lead vocalist Matty Healy criticised Malaysia’s LGBT laws before proceeding to kiss his male bandmate while on stage during the first day of the festival. – November 21, 2023