Malaysia’s communications ministry orders a ‘kill switch’ on concerts by foreign artists

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Communications and Digital Ministry (KKD) on Monday (Oct 30) instructed organisers of concerts by foreign artists to create a ‘kill switch’ in order to avoid a repeat incident of that involving UK band The 1975 at this year’s Good Vibes Festival. 

Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching said that the kill switch would stop the concert by cutting the power supply so that the event could not go on.

“These are the guidelines from the incident (involving The 1975) and we (KKD) hope that with stricter guidelines, we can ensure that performances by foreign artists can adhere to the culture in Malaysia,” she said during the question and answer session in parliament. 

She said this in response to a supplementary question by Jasin Member of Parliament (MP) Zulkifli Ismail who wanted to know the government’s steps in improving the censorship and blacklisting of The 1975. 

Mr Ismail also asked about the government’s action against the group who had continued criticising Malaysia in their concerts abroad.

Meanwhile, Ms Teo said that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) always assisted her ministry in checking the background of foreign artists so as to ensure that they do not promote negative elements in Malaysia.

“Furthermore, in organising concerts, PUSPAL (Central Agency for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes) will ensure that the PUSPAL committee is stationed at the location (of the concert) together with PDRM and PBT (local authorities) to monitor the concert,” she said.

On Jul 22, local media reported that The 1975’s performance at Good Vibes Festival 2023 was stopped after its vocalist Matty Healy held a bottle of alcohol on stage and criticised the country’s anti-LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders) laws.

Mr Healy also kissed a male bandmate onstage. Homosexuality is a crime in Muslim-majority Malaysia. 

The 1975 has since been banned from performing in Malaysia, according to PUSPAL.