International concerts: Look at overall impact, not just economic - Tuan Ibrahim

 

The economic impact and growth should not be the only factor considered when deciding to hold concerts involving foreign artistes, said Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

The PAS deputy president said the overall impact of international concerts is more important.

“Don't just look at the income. We must also look clearly into the moral impact on teenagers, the type of performances conducted, and the unrestricted mingling between men and women instead of only the dollars and cents. This is because we are in a critical situation,” he told Malaysiakini.

Tuan Ibrahim was commenting on Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu’s opinion that Malaysia was missing out on international concert opportunities, in response to a report about US singer Taylor Swift’s concert in Singapore.

Faizal said Malaysia had the means to bring in chart-topping entertainers to perform here, but such measures have not been taken.

Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu

“We must be more aggressive to get them in. The huge economic windfall is beyond politics,” Faizal said.

In response, Tuan Ibrahim, who is the Kubang Kerian MP, said Faizal’s statement was a personal view and did not reflect his party.

Tuan Ibrahim added that economic opportunities must have positive and negative values for the people.

“So, for us, we have stressed that we are not against performances or concerts and so on.

"What we are talking about is the value that is brought. What is the positive or negative value for the people?

"If it has a negative value for the people as we talked about before, which promotes LGBTQ+ and unrestricted mingling between men and women, this is inappropriate,” he said.

Moral damage

Tuan Ibrahim further questioned if it would be profitable to the government if the moral damage inflicted by these concerts were greater than the economic value obtained.

"We are against (concerts) because, say if the profit gained is RM1 million but the same amount of money cannot be used to repair damage (inflicted on) generations.

“This moral issue is very critical, the issue of child abandonment that stems from the unrestricted mingling between men and women.

“Any company can make a profit for each concert; tourists will come to see them. But then these tourists will leave and what happens once they do? Do they leave a positive or negative value?” he said.

Tuan Ibrahim stressed that the government should focus on local talents instead of foreign artistes.

“Our country was once famous for nasyid group Raihan. So why do we rely on foreign artistes?

“It would be much better to develop our own artistes and elevate them to an international platform. If we solely depend on foreign artistes, who will benefit from it?” he said.

The PAS leader raised concerns that local culture and influence would be lost if there was an emphasis on Western culture.

‘No missed opportunity’

Meanwhile, Sik MP Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman concurred that Malaysia had not missed out on any opportunity concerning Swift’s concert.

In fact, he said the country had succeeded in maintaining its own identity and proper culture.

“There was no missed opportunity because I am confident that all of us in Malaysia understand what is the good and bad that should be presented to the people, especially among the youth.

“I am confident that there will be many other opportunities for us to get foreign engagements, not only in terms of entertainment but other means as well,” he said.

He opined that Malaysia should not only look at inviting foreign artistes but also foreign experts in motivational and leadership matters.

Sik MP Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman

Tarmizi also denied the difference in views between PAS and Bersatu about bringing in foreign performers.

"There is no difference, it's just an approach that can be harmonised if we understand everything that is best for the people in our country," he said.

The Straits Times quoted economists estimating that Swift’s concerts could boost Singapore’s economy by up to S$500 million (RM1.76 billion) in tourism receipts.

The move sparked criticism, including from Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, prompting his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong to assure that it is not being unfriendly to other countries in the region.

Instead, Lee stated that Singapore provides specific incentives through tourism development funds, which is proving to be very successful for them. - Mkini