The Association of Live Event Organisers (Alife) is committed to protecting Malaysia’s live event industry from bureaucratic obstacles and unnecessary political interference, according to president Rizal Kamal.
Rizal stated, “With recent successes such as Taylor Swift’s groundbreaking tour in Singapore demonstrating the economic potential of live events, Alife is dedicated to overcoming obstacles that impact Malaysia’s global entertainment competitiveness.
Despite recent achievements, Alife is facing resistance from political and religious groups calling for the cancellation of concerts featuring artists linked to ‘sinful’ activities or supporting specific communities,” Rizal said in a statement on Friday (March 15).
He highlighted the calls for the cancellation of popular acts like Blackpink, Billie Eilish, Coldplay, and Ed Sheeran as examples of this issue.
Rizal emphasized, “Alife condemns this targeting, observing the irony when much more controversial and explicit content is readily available on digital platforms beyond political regulation.
Rizal emphasized the potential to attract much-needed external revenue to the country through music tourism, as Malaysia’s infrastructure, cost structure, and the value of the ringgit make it an appealing destination for concerts and shows.
He expressed concerns that certain groups should not derail Malaysia’s efforts to enhance its competitiveness in the region, especially for personal or political gain.
Rizal affirmed, “We will always advocate for cultural diversity and the right of individuals to access entertainment freely within Malaysia’s vibrant live performance sector, along with the right to uphold Malaysia’s reputation internationally.”
