Bersatu leader Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif has called on the government to stop giving excuses and disclose if efforts were made to secure the economically beneficial Taylor Swift concert.
She referred to a social media post by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh that stated preparations were made for “big stars” by buying “canvas” and solving “flooding” at Bukit Jalil stadium.
Yeoh (above, left) had also insisted that Perikatan Nasional should stop protesting concerts.
“These are unacceptable excuses and a shameless abdication of responsibility by the minister in charge and the Madani government as a whole,” Sasha told Malaysiakini.
“Instead of being candid about whether efforts had been made to secure Swift, Yeoh is evading the issue by talking about buying canvas and solving flooding.
“It is also an admission that Yeoh and the Madani administration made no serious efforts to secure Swift’s highly lucrative “Eras Tour”, which would have meant high revenue and economic opportunities for our people, including from tourist arrivals, flights, ticket sales, hotel accommodations, retail businesses, dining, and many other related economic areas,” she said.
Sasha, who is Bersatu’s Legal & Constitution Bureau deputy chairperson, said these economic opportunities were lost because the government was inept, disinterested, clueless, and too busy with political manoeuvring.
She contrasted this with the Singapore government which sent a minister to negotiate with Swift’s agents successfully over a year ago.
“Malaysia already had an arrangement with the concert promoter ASM Global. We could have got Swift. How did Yeoh and the government let it slip through their fingers?
“Yeoh’s desperate attempt to pass the blame to PN is laughable. She and the Madani government are in power, not PN. Their most important job is to secure the economic welfare of the rakyat. In this, they miserably failed and lost huge economic and tourism opportunities for our country.
“The government is obliged to explain this mega-failure in securing this mega-star for our nation’s benefit,” Sasha said.
She called on Yeoh to be transparent about efforts to secure Swift and clarify if attempts are being made to secure other suitable A-list stars to perform in Malaysia.
Swift’s pro-LGBT stance
Yesterday, Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu said Malaysia stands to lose out if it fails to leverage opportunities to allow international artistes to perform in the country.
PAS - which is part of the PN coalition with Bersatu - has criticised the hosting of international concerts in the country and called for their cancellation, including shows by Coldplay and Ed Sheeran.
However, PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar recently clarified that the party is not opposed to concerts, only “problematic” performers such as those who are pro-LGBTQ+ or pro-Israel.
It should be noted that Swift is a vocal supporter of pro-LGBTQ+ causes.
Commenting on this, Sasha said it was not a firm policy.
“It’s not written in stone, and it depends upon the particular artiste. PN has never said it objected to performers with a positive image & influence.
“Let’s be practical. Swift doesn’t actively promote LGBTQ+ in her songs and concerts. Anyone familiar with her songs knows this. Judge her by her songs and performances.
“There’s no reason to object to a global icon with a positive image and influence,” she said when asked if her party might have protested a concert by Swift.
On Wan Fayhsal’s comment
Earlier, Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal questioned Sasha’s authority to comment on the issue.
“When did Bersatu ever discuss this? She is not the main leader of Bersatu to issue an official view of the party on this matter. Her view is her own and doesn’t represent Bersatu’s. None of our Bersatu MPs ever raised about this matter,” he said on X.
Sasha replied: “This is just Wan Fayhsal’s personal view. What discussion is required?”
“This is basic economic sense, and common sense as well. Malaysia must not miss out on a highly profitable concert tour, which every country in the region is vying for.
“We are not a monolithic party with uniform views. We represent the varieties of currents & ideas of our vibrant country,” she said.
“We have healthy disagreements in our party, nothing wrong with that. It’s healthy for the party and for intra-party democracy and for the country,” she added. - Mkini
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