Why pull plug on entire festival over one unruly performer: MCA

KUALA LUMPUR – MCA today called upon the communication and digital minister to have some empathy and sympathy for the organiser of the Good Vibes Festival (GVF).

This follows Fahmi Fadzil’s move to cancel the music event’s remaining two days, following the fiasco involving British band The 1975’s frontman Matt Healy last night.

“Indeed, the performer’s act must be condemned…our laws must be upheld to protect our young, and Healy and The 1975 must be penalised.

“However, extending the punishment to the organisers in an arbitrary or unconscionable manner does not spell well for the minister or the government. 

“The minister should not be seen to be trigger-happy or shooting at the wrong target,” its vice-president Ti Lian Ker said in a statement. 

Earlier today, Fahmi said the remaining two days of the GVF have been cancelled, and the organiser was told to find the best way to make refunds.

Ti said the punishment by cancelling the festival and asking the organisers to refund all tickets sold is unjust to the organiser who will be incurring heavy losses.

“Fahmi seems ‘to be taking it out on the organisers’ to appease or is playing to the side of conservatives,” he said.

Ti said such an act will also set a wrong message to future organisers.

“Their future costs, risks and insurance may also be higher due to this unforeseen risk beyond their control. 

“All organisers as of now need to comply with the tight regulations by the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal), under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry.

“Penalising the organiser or demanding Puspal to be more stringent will only bring about more red tape, rules and cost that will shy away entertainers and organisers, thus damaging our entertainment industry,” he added.

Ti said while the incident of Healy kissing a male bandmate on stage is uncalled for, the minister’s act also serves as a worrying precedent “with huge implications to our entertainment industry”. 

“The Malay proverb ‘jangan marahkan nyamuk, bakar kelambu’ in this case is apt. 

“Do not ‘burn’ the organisers or the industry due to the act of one performer. Actions should be targeted at ‘the mosquito’ that is Healy or The 1975.” – The Vibes, July 22, 2023