Muda vice president Zaidel Baharuddin urged the government, particularly the Tourism Ministry, to openly reprimand the "extreme populist" view from PAS Youth calling for concerts to be stopped from being held in Malaysia.
Zaidel (above) reminded the government that the tourism industry and event management companies, among the worst affected by Covid-19, did not need such pressure.
"The last thing they need right now is to be burdened with anxiety coming from a pressure group that is part of the government.
"We call upon the government to clearly state its stand, especially the Tourism Ministry, in rejecting this.
"The government should be clear and consistent in its guidelines and defend all of its decisions in allowing any form of concerts and events," he said in a statement today.
Zaidel said tourism and events create jobs and spur economic growth, which is why a small group of "loud and insecure people" must not be allowed to influence policies or distort society’s values.
While he acknowledged that there is a need to vet concerts and events due to certain cultural and religious values practised in Malaysia, Zaidel said it was nonsensical to say that all concerts will degrade society’s moral fibre and bring forth God’s wrath.
He also pointed out that Saudi Arabia, a country that implements Syariah law, allows concerts to be held.
Zaidel also noted that PAS Youth was mum when the Rainforest World Music Festival (RMWF) concert was held in Sarawak back in June.
"Perhaps they view RWMF as more decent and modest than singer Billie Eilish, or maybe it’s because, coincidentally, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) happens to be a crucial ally to Perikatan Nasional (PN)," he said.
On Aug 19, PAS Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari lamented that concerts were being held in Malaysia, calling it “madness and invites Allah’s anger".
His remarks come a day after Eilish held a concert at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur.
Shortly after, he warned that PAS Youth would be mobilising a "nationwide protest" if the government continues to grant permission for various concerts to be held in the country. - Mkini
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