TICKETS for Indian singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam’s concert on Saturday were sold even before the government gave its nod for the show, said the federal body responsible for approving foreign acts’ performances in Malaysia.

The Central Agencies Committee for Applications for Filming and Performances by Foreign Artistes (Puspal), in a statement today, said it never issued any support letter to the organiser, Raaghav Production, to hold the said event from 7pm to 11pm on August 31.

“The application by the organiser to hold the event at 7pm… was only received by Puspal on July 31. Based on the information provided by the organiser to Jakim, via a letter dated August 13, it was noted that the sale of tickets for the said event had commenced in March, before the application was made,” it said, referring to the Malaysian Islamic Development Department.

“Puspal reiterates that organisers should not commence the sale of tickets for events prior to obtaining approvals from the relevant authorities, including a support letter by Puspal.”

It also revealed that Raaghav Production’s subsequent application was rejected based on Jakim’s advice that the applicant move the concert to a more appropriate date, as Maal Hijrah, which marks the Islamic New Year, is observed from sunset on August 31 till sunset on September 1.

“The organiser then appealed, and explained that they had commenced the sale of tickets and undertaken expenses for the event prior to obtaining approval.

“In order to assist the organiser, given the predicament they had put themselves in by selling tickets before obtaining approval, Puspal agreed to allow the event to be held on August 31, but at an earlier time.”

The organiser agreed to this, said Puspal.

“It is, therefore, inappropriate to create the perception that the concert was pushed earlier, from 7pm to 3pm, on Puspal’s instruction.”

Tickets for the show range between RM161 and RM1,966.

The issue blew up following reports that two concerts by international artistes scheduled for Saturday have been brought forward to the afternoon, so as to accommodate Maal Hijrah prayers in the evening.

Balasubrahmanyam’s concert at KLCC’s Plenary Hall will now begin at 3pm, four hours earlier than the initially stated time.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese legend Bobby Chen’s concert at Shah Alam’s Melawati Stadium, originally slated to start at 7.30pm on Saturday, will now begin at noon.

Raaghav Production has taken to social media to notify Balasubrahmanyam fans of the concert’s time change and the reason for it.

“We were notified only recently that there should not be any performance after 7.30pm (sunset) on August 31 as it clashes with Awal Muharram (Maal Hijrah) celebrations.

“Puspal and Jakim have raised concerns that holding the show at 7.30pm might cause uneasiness among Muslims, which could lead to racial controversies.

“As a mark of respect towards the Awal Muharram celebrations, and to get approval for the show to go on, we had little to no alternative, but to bring the show time forward to avoid any untoward incident during the show.”

The organiser will hold a press conference tonight to explain the situation further.

“We at Raaghav Production have put in all our effort and tried our level best to explain to the authorities that Balasubrahmanyam’s show is a closed-door event, and will not in any way disrespect the Awal Muharram celebrations or cause any issue, but our pleas were not accepted.”

Soul9s Production, the organiser for the Chen concert, said the decision to hold the show earlier on Saturday is to make way for the Selangor government’s Maal Hijrah event.

Those seeking refunds can do so before Thursday, said the company, which apologised for the change in timing.

Tickets for the Chen show range from RM188 to RM588.

Puspal documents stating the agency’s disapproval of the concert’s original time slot were seen by The Malaysian Insight.

“Maal Hijrah is a big day in the Muslim calendar, and if the concert were to take place at the original time… it would cause anxiety among Malaysians, a majority of whom are Muslims,” said the documents, which were signed by the Puspal chairman.

“Given this, Puspal does not support shows by foreign artistes from August 30 to September 1.”

According to the agency’s official guidelines, Puspal “has the right to revoke its approval should the foreign artiste’s performance or filming touch upon religious, racial and cultural issues of Malaysian communities, and (is deemed) damaging to the country’s interests”.

The guidelines also prohibit concerts during the holy month of Ramadan and religious public holidays. – August 26, 2019.