KUALA LUMPUR – An “anti-concert party” is to blame for global popstar Taylor Swift’s apparent snub of Malaysia in her international Eras Tour, causing the local tourism industry to lose out on billions of ringgit in potential earnings, said a government backbencher.
Chong Zhemin (Kampar-PH) told the Dewan Rakyat today about “Swiftonomics” – the ripple effect in consumer spending at venues where the superstar has held her concert.
Chong said economists have predicted that Swift’s concerts in the United States itself are expected to generate an estimated consumer spending of approximately US$5 billion or RM25 billion.
“If we can attract big icons like this to come to Malaysia, I’m sure that our restaurants and hotels will be packed,” he said while debating Budget 2024 at the committee level for the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
“But unfortunately, in Malaysia we have an ‘anti-concert party’ so (Swift) can’t come here and will instead be going to Singapore.
“(This means that) Malaysian fans will have to go to Singapore and spend their money there.”
Swift will be performing in Singapore – the only Southeast Asian stop for her tour – in March next year for a total of seven days.
Tickets for the event, ranging between SG$108 (RM371.26) to SG$348 (RM1,196.45), were sold out within hours after they went up for sale in July this year.
While Chong did not specify which party his jab was aimed at, PAS has been a vocal critic of entertainment events deemed to be against local sensitivities and moral values.
PAS’ last target was British rock band Coldplay which completed a successful performance at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium last night without organisers having to make use of the “kill switch”, a preventive measure implemented by the government after an incident in July where The 1975’s Matty Healy condemned Malaysia’s LGBT laws before kissing his male bandmate.
In the hours leading up to Coldplay’s one-night concert at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, PAS lawmakers had doubled down on their calls for the government to cancel the event, citing how the band is a renowned supporter of the LGBT community.
They also cited the ongoing war in Palestine, asserting that it would be in bad faith to promote the holding of entertainment events while Gaza residents continue to face harrowing threats to their life due to Israeli attacks.
The organiser of the Coldplay concert here, Live Nation Malaysia, had earlier issued a string of rules for attendees, which included a ban on banners carrying political messages or those related to the LGBT movement.
Prior to the concert, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Tambun-PH) had also pointed out in Parliament that Coldplay is in support of the Palestinian cause, following a statement by the Federal Territories mufti to call off the concert as it was against societal values.
Coldplay will also be playing in Singapore for six days in January next year. – November 23, 2023