Organizers of Wednesday’s Coldplay concert in Malaysia could stop the show if the British rock group misbehaves, a minister said as the government rejected calls from Muslim conservatives to cancel the show.
Led by the country’s opposition bloc, Muslim conservatives have protested the concert over Coldplay’s support of the LGBTQ+ community. Recently, they also insisted that the concert be stopped in solidarity with the Palestinians who died in the Israel-Hamas war.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said he did not expect any problems with Coldplay’s first concert in Malaysia late at night.
Security has been beefed up for the show which is expected to attract around 75,000 people at a stadium outside Kuala Lumpur.
“Yes, it is one of the things we have discussed with the organizers,” said Fahmi when asked if a ‘kill switch’ to cut off the power supply would be used.
A woman holds a poster during a rally against British band Coldplay ahead of its concert in Jakarta, Indonesia, on November 15, 2023. AP Indonesian policemen try to disperse conservative Muslim activists protesting LGBTQ+ support near the stadium where British band Coldplay performed. Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 15. 2023. ADI WEDA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
“The prime minister also said the group, you know, is very pro-Palestinian. So, we are happy with the concert today,” he added.
Malaysia introduced the kill switch measure recently after the controversy sparked by British band The 1975 in Kuala Lumpur in July.
The group’s lead singer slammed the country’s anti-gay laws and kissed male bandmates during their performance, sparking a backlash among Muslims and prompting the government to cut short the three-day music festival.
Muslim protesters reject the shields of riot police officers as they demand the cancellation of a concert by British rock band Coldplay in Jakarta on November 15, 2023. AFP via Getty Images A Muslim shouts slogans during a rally against British band Coldplay ahead of its concert in Jakarta, Indonesia, on November 15. 2023. AP
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim justified allowing a Coldplay concert, telling Parliament on Tuesday that “Coldplay is actually one of the groups that supports Palestine.”
He noted that the previous administration, before he assumed power in November 2022, had approved the concert.
Anwar said pro-Palestinian groups also approached his office to support the Coldplay concert.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin performs on stage at Optus Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Perth, Australia. Getty Images
The opposition Islamic party PAS slammed Anwar’s stance.
Although Coldplay supports the Palestinian cause, it also promotes hedonism, said its head of information Ahmad Fadhli Shaari.
“This is not a question of whether they support the Palestinian cause or not but the issue of the culture of hedonism that they bring to our society,” he said in Parliament on Tuesday.
Riot police officers gather as Muslim protesters demand the cancellation of a concert by British rock band Coldplay in Jakarta on November 15, 2023. AFP via Getty Images
PAS, which has expanded its influence following the strong support of Muslims in the 2022 elections, has often objected to concerts by international artists that it says do not conform to Islamic values.
Officials from concert promoter Live Nation Malaysia could not immediately be reached for comment. It issued a statement to concertgoers a few days ago, reminding them to “remember local culture and sensitivities” and refrain from displaying props or items that could cause discomfort to others.
Police have warned people to refrain from any form of provocation and inciting disorder at the concert, which is part of Coldplay’s Sphere Music World Tour.
Muslim protesters demand the cancellation of a concert by British rock band Coldplay near the Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta on November 15, 2023. AFP via Getty Images
Coldplay also faced opposition from Muslims when they performed in Indonesia earlier this month. Protesters held rallies leading up to the day of the concert, slamming the band as LGBTQ+ “propagandists” whose stances damage “faith and morals.”
Coldplay is known for interweaving its values with its shows, such as the band’s push for environmental sustainability.
Lead singer Chris Martin famously wore rainbow colors and waved a gay pride flag during performances.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
