Consider Sabah for next GVF concert: DAP
Published on: Thursday, July 27, 2023
Chan, who is Political Secretary to the Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Sabah, believed the Sabah Government would be ready to work with the organisers, providing any necessary assistance to ensure the smooth execution of the event and an exceptional experience for festival-goers.
Kota Kinabalu: DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Sabah Secretary Chan Loong Wei extended an invitation to the Good Vibes Festival organisers to consider Sabah as a potential location for their event next year.
This followed the abrupt cancellation of the event on the first night by British band “The 1975” at the Sepang International circuit on Friday night over the group’s condemnation of Malaysia’s anti-LGBT stand and where two of the male members kissed on stage.
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Chan said there are significant economic benefits concerts like GVF can bring to the local economy especially SMEs and the tourism sector.
“The positive impact of hosting large-scale music festivals on the local economy cannot be overlooked.
“Not only do such events create opportunities for local businesses to thrive, but it would also provide a platform to showcase the beauty and cultural richness of Sabah to a wider audience, thereby boosting tourism and attracting potential investors,” Chan said in a statement.
Chan, who is Political Secretary to the Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Sabah, believed the Sabah Government would be ready to work with the organisers, providing any necessary assistance to ensure the smooth execution of the event and an exceptional experience for festival-goers.
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Meanwhile, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government will be reviewing the overall standard operating procedures (SOP) related to approval of organising concerts in the country.
“We have called for the ministry’s secretary-general and Puspal (Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes) to review all the processes including screening of the performers.
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We will also be holding a town hall session with concert organisers and taken into account all their views, including on the latest incident, to make improvements,” he said.
The performance by The 1975 at GVF 2023 was cut short after the band’s frontman, Matty Healy, reportedly criticised Malaysia’s anti-LGBT (lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender) laws before kissing his male band mate on stage.
The ministry called off the remaining two days of the concert following the incident.
When asked about the financial implications of the affected vendors and artists of the event from the cancellation, Fahmi said MyCreative Ventures has been in touch with those affected.
“The international artists have received their payment, but not the locals. MyCreative Ventures has contacted them and is looking into ways to help them. So I would leave it to them.”
Asked on the call made by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia supreme council member Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan for Fahmi to resign following the incident, he only responded with: “I pity him”.
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