RIGHT after Coldplay, A PAS lawmaker has now set his sights on getting another international concert cancelled, this time one that features Bollywood artistes.
Kuala Krai MP Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman contended that the ‘Stars on Fire’ concert scheduled for Dec 1 featuring popular Indian artistes was “unsuitable and insensitive”, especially when Palestinians are being killed by Israel.
“Besides Coldplay, a concert called ‘Star on Fire’ will be held in early December, involving famous artistes from India.
“I am of the view that this concert is unsuitable and insensitive to the rakyat when our brothers and sisters are being slaughtered in Palestine,” Abdul Latiff said when debating the Budget 2024 at the committee stage for the Communications and Digital Ministry in Dewan Rakyat today (Nov 22).
He also used the opportunity to reiterate previous calls for Coldplay’s concert, scheduled for tonight (Nov 22) at Bukit Jalil, to be cancelled.
Despite Federal Territories mufti Datuk Luqman Abdullah’s advice to the public not to get involved in programmes that are against Malaysia’s values and culture, Abdul Latiff added that it was the government’s responsibility to “menutup pintu dan ruang masksiat” (shut all doors to sinful acts) beforehand.
“I humbly ask the government to cancel both concerts,” Abdul Latif said.
The PAS lawmaker was skeptical with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s defence for Coldplay, whereby the prime minister had lauded the British band for their support of Palestine in Dewan Rakyat yesterday (Nov 21).
The Mengkebang assemblyman expressed doubts about the statement as Coldplay allegedly had not spoken much about Palestine on their Facebook.
“Nevertheless, the issue here is not about whether the band supports Palestine or condemns Israel.
“What is important in this matter is that Coldplay has been linked as an immoral group that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or questioning (LGBTQ+),” the former Kelantan state assembly deputy speaker said.
Abdul Latiff further added that the government should have learned its lesson from The 1975 incident in July.
On July 21 at the Good Vibes Festival (GVF) 2023 concert, British band The 1975 frontman Matt Healy had launched into an expletive-riddled tirade against Malaysia’s LGBT laws before kissing his male bandmate.
Healy also appeared to be drunk during the event, which was cut short by the organisers, while netizens claimed he had spat onstage, damaging a camera drone operated by the GVF crew.
Following the unsavory incident, on July 22, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil ordered the cancellation of the music festival’s two remaining nights. He also said the band had been blacklisted from performing in Malaysia.
British band Coldplay is scheduled to perform at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium today (Nov 22) as part of its Music of the Spheres World Tour. – Nov 22, 2023
