KUALA LUMPUR – The strong opposition by some MPs to holding concerts and other events or festivals in Malaysia is negatively impacting tourist arrivals in the country, according to Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (Bintulu-GPS).
Addressing a question from RSN Rayer (Jelutong-PH) in the Dewan Rakyat today, Tiong acknowledged that MPs’ disapproval of events like beer festivals has instilled a sense of fear and apprehension among tourists considering visiting Malaysia.
“This opposition among MPs is also a problem. We should not turn everything into a political issue,” Tiong said.
“However, events such as musical performances are not under the purview of my ministry.”
In August 2022, PAS Youth urged the government to cancel all concerts featuring international artists, warning of potential protests if compliance is not met.
The then PAS Youth chief, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, urged the government to halt such events, citing concerns about their promotion of hedonism, which he deemed inconsistent with the norms and values of Muslim life in Malaysia.
Fadhli had previously made a similar call on August 19, urging Muslims to oppose such concerts, warning that they could incur the “wrath of Allah.” This statement followed American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish’s concert in Kuala Lumpur on August 18.
PAS, known for its opposition to international performers’ concerts in the country, previously called for a ban on Selena Gomez’s 2016 concert, alleging that it promoted “western culture and hedonism,” although the concert proceeded as scheduled.
In May last year, another PAS leader called on the government to cancel the November concert of British rock band Coldplay. Nasrudin Hassan, a member of PAS’s central working committee, questioned Putrajaya’s stance on promoting “hedonism and deviant cultures” in the country by permitting Coldplay’s performance.
To prove his point, Nasrudin shared images of Coldplay’s frontman, Chris Martin, holding up the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) flag during a concert in London.
Echoing Nasrudin, Fadhli emphasised that the concern surrounding Coldplay extends beyond the band’s support for Palestine.
Despite PAS’ recognition for its consistent opposition to performances by foreign artists, PAS vice president Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar clarified that the party’s concern is not directed at concerts in general.
Acknowledging the potential economic benefits concerts can bring, Samsuri explained that certain conditions must be met. If the performers advocate for an LGBTQ+ lifestyle or express pro-Israel sentiments, it would be in contradiction to the party’s principles.
Before Rayer’s question, Datuk Seri Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah-PN) asked Tiong about Malaysia’s success in attracting 26 million foreign visitors last year under Tiong’s leadership, despite Thailand being a prominent tourism destination.
Without directly responding to that, Tiong mentioned that his ministry has requested lands and projects to aid in the development of the tourism industry in Kedah and Perlis. He added that discussions with exco members of Kedah and Perlis have taken place, and updates on this matter will be announced soon.
In his speech, Tiong expressed hope that the Finance Ministry would reintroduce the goods and services tax (GST), deeming it more efficient and indirect for consumers’ purchases.
Meanwhile, Tiong assured that his ministry would closely monitor travel advisories issued by other countries regarding safety and security in eastern Sabah and other states.
In November last year, the British High Commission in Malaysia announced a change in the UK’s travel advice for Sabah.
Ailsa Terry, the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, attributed the positive development to the Malaysian government’s efforts to improve security in eastern Sabah in recent years. – March 13, 2024