Police have launched an investigation into the incident involving a British band that performed at the Good Vibes Festival in Sepang on Friday.
Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said the police have received three police reports regarding the “extremely rude statements and behaviour” by members of the band The 1975, and it has summoned those involved for questioning.
He said the police are investigating the case under Section 504 and 509 of the Penal Code, and Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955. They are slightly differently worded laws prohibiting insulting behaviour.
Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act criminalises insulting behaviour that is intended or is likely to provoke a breach of peace and is punishable with a fine of up to RM100.
Section 504 of the Penal Code deals with insults that are made “intending or knowing it to be likely” to lead another person to break public peace or commit other offences. It is punishable with up to two years imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Section 509, meanwhile, pertains to words or gestures intended to insult the modesty of another person. Upon conviction, it is punishable with up to five years imprisonment, a fine, or both.
“Members of the public are reminded not to make any speculation that could create misunderstandings among the community,” Hussein added.
Meanwhile, the police also cited security reasons to voice support for the government to cancel the remaining two days of the three-day festival, which was originally scheduled to run from Friday to Sunday.
“The police fully support the Communications and Digital Ministry’s decision as announced by its minister Fahmi Fadzil and the Sepang Municipal Council to cancel the festival immediately due to security factors,” Hussein said.
During his performance on Friday, The 1975 frontman Matt Healy angrily criticised Malaysia’s laws against LGBTs, saying he had made a mistake in coming to a country that is “telling us who we can have sex with” because he didn’t check when the band made the concert booking in Malaysia.
He then proceeded to kiss his male bandmate Ross MacDonald while on stage.
He was also seen drinking from a bottle believed to contain an alcoholic beverage during the incident, while netizens allege that he spat onstage and damaged a camera drone operated by the festival crew.
Festival organisers cut short the band’s performance soon afterwards, citing the band’s failure to honour a promise to observe local performance guidelines.
The next day, after meeting the organiser Future Sound Asia, Fahmi announced that the rest of the festival will be cancelled as well.
“I would like to stress that the government’s stand is clear.
“There will be no compromise on any parties who challenge, mock, and defy Malaysia’s laws,” said Fahmi. - Mkini
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