Govt should've rejected The 1975's entry, says Hamzah

Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin said the government should not have allowed British pop rock band The 1975, which has a reputation for being a bastion of LGBT rights, to enter the country in the first place.

The former home minister said that groups like The 1975 were not granted entry into Malaysia during his tenure.

"When they have misbehaved, only then do we want to talk about having conditions. What conditions? You already know this group will ruin the future of the Malaysian people. They should not have been allowed to perform in Malaysia," he said in a speech in Tanjong Karang last night.

The rock band sparked controversy after its lead singer, Matt Healy, slammed Malaysia's anti-LGBT laws and kissed a male bandmate onstage during a performance at the Good Vibes Festival in Sepang on Friday.

On Saturday, Communication and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil ordered the immediate cancellation of the remainder of the three-day festival. The band has also been blacklisted from performing in Malaysia.

The organisers of the festival reportedly appealed last July after the Central Committee for Applications for Filming and Performances by Foreign Artistes (Puspal) rejected The 1975's participation, assuring that the band would adhere to local performance guidelines.

Hamzah, who is also Larut MP, accused the government of practising double standards by not taking action against the band despite their alleged violation of the country's laws.

"Sanusi committed a minor offence, and he was arrested at 3am. The group violated our country's laws, but they were not even detained. This is the kind of government we have today, one that practises double standards," Hamzah said, referring to Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who was recently arrested and charged over a speech in which he was accused of insulting the royal institution.

According to the police, members of The 1975 left the country soon after their concert was cancelled. The band has also cancelled concerts in Indonesia and Taiwan following the controversy.