Pejuang questions The 1975 performance permit approval

SHAH ALAM - Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) has questioned the credibility of the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal) under the Communications and Digital Ministry for approving the performance permit for British band The 1975.

The party's information chief Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali voiced out his concerns over the matter following an inappropriate act on stage witnessed by thousands of spectators demonstrated by the band which was disrespectful as well as videos of the incident circulating on social media.

He said previously, there had been similar incidents involving the music artist in Dubai in 2019.

"Pejuang strongly condemns the act of Matty Healy and The 1975. Therefore, immediate action without compromise must be taken for disrespectfully questioning the government and authorities on issues related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT).

"The offensive words uttered openly and being drunk on stage also clearly showed that this band does not respect the law of the country," he said in a statement, today.

The 1975's performance at the Good Vibes Festival 2023 was halted after vocalist Healy did a series of inappropriate acts in front of fans.

He was accused of holding a bottle of alcohol on stage while insulting Malaysia's law on LGBT.

Rafique added that his party also urged the Home Ministry to immediately blacklist The 1975 and Healy from entering Malaysia.

"Such things should not happen because Malaysia is a country which its official religion is Islam, it is multiracial and upholds the sensitivity of eastern values.

"A clear message must be sent so that such incidents would not happen again in the country," he said.