ONE man’s trash is surely another man’s treasure.
Open-minded East Malaysia states of Sabah and Sarawak are quick to jump on opportunity that presents itself after PAS Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari sparked an uproar by calling on the Government to cancel scheduled concerts featuring international artistes lest the movement would stage nationwide protests.
After all, they have so much to gain by offering themselves as turf for the staging of international concerts, including who knows, to ultimately become Malaysia’s entertainment hub one day.
Deeming the state as “a land of music and songs”, the Sabah Chief Minister’s political secretary Ceasar Mandela Malakun downplayed the narrow view that concerts featuring international artistes are a threat to the country.
“Threats are ideologies that can divide and destroy our long-standing racial and religious harmony,” he pointed out in a statement. “Sabah welcomes concerts, including those that feature international artistes. We have hosted such events before and there has never been a problem.”
Malakun was also cynical with the threat put forth by the Pasir Mas MP, assuring that peace-loving Sabahans are not likely to protest just because someone told them to do so.
“Besides, Sabahans are moderate people who live by common sense. We have been living in harmony despite being of different ethnicities and religions, and we have mutual respect,” he quipped.
Over in Kuching, Sarawak’s Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state has no objections to public concerts as long as the performers follow the rules.
“We are tolerant of one another, and we are very happy to see all these festivals and concerts returning after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Abdul Karim told reporters prior to unveiling the Kuching Jazz 2022 (KJ2022) yesterday (Aug 30).
“But we also know that no matter what we organise, there are limits to where we can perform and how the performers will be dressed.”
He went to on to reveal that many of his friends from Peninsular Malaysia are wondering if they could re-locate to Sarawak to attend concerts held in the state.
“They are so happy because we have concerts but in Peninsular Malaysia, when people want to organise concerts, there are others who want to go to the street to object the organising of the concerts,” added Abdul Karim.
Perhaps, concert organisers and event management companies in Peninsular Malaysia should jointly stage a street protest or start a petition to oppose PAS Youth’a narrow-mindedness. – Aug 31, 2022
