Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar 

IT appears that PAS has inadvertently become the publicity machinery for one of the best-selling music acts of all time, Coldplay.

Not that the well-known British rock band, scheduled to perform at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on November 22, hungers for spiritually driven publicity.

It is just that the protest registered by PAS against the band’s performance in Malaysia had raised eyebrows and curiosity among Malaysians and possibly other people elsewhere in the region. The Islamist party called for the cancellation of the concert.

That is what normally happens when there is an attempt at censorship. It creates curiosity among people, especially those who are ignorant of the targeted object of ban.

Be that as it may, tickets for the Grammy Award-winning act was sold out within a few hours while scalpers made huge profits out of selling the tickets. The ticket ranges from RM228 to RM3,088, but scalpers sell the cheapest tickets for more than RM1,000.

The outrageous profiteering had caused Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil to express concern and look into the matter.

Subsequently, those who failed to buy the tickets petitioned for an extra night of performance by Coldplay, who would be here as part of their Music of the Sphere tour.

Such was the response of Coldplay fans and other music enthusiasts, as if the PAS interjection reinforced their resolve to attend and enjoy the performance.

PAS’ protest against the Coldplay concert manifested in a Facebook posting by the party’s central committee member, Nasrudin Hassan, which indicated that the concert would not bring benefit to “religion, race and country”.

He asked whether the government wanted to nurture a culture of hedonism and perversion in the country, with the post showing lead vocalist Chris Martin holding a rainbow flag that represents the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

But Coldplay is no run-of-the-mill band. That is why focusing only on the supposed association between the band and the LGBT community would do an injustice to the well-known musical group.

As a socially conscious band, it has taken up many social causes, such as environmental protection, fair trade, human rights and care for vulnerable children and young people.

If Nasrudin and his ilk are not aware, Coldplay had sponsored a RM3.2 million project last year to clean up Klang River, one of the purportedly 50 most polluted rivers in the world. It is a welcoming gesture. Isn’t cleanliness next to godliness?

Social media users, who were opposed to the PAS’ stand, reminded the party to address the issues of dirty piped water and filthy beaches in Kelantan before poking its nose into other people’s affairs.

Besides, Nasrudin and party comrades did not seem troubled by the presence of such international acts as Billie Eilish, rock band Boys Like Girls, Super Junior and Justin Bieber who performed in the country when PAS was part of the federal government then. Such hypocrisy was too obvious for the social media users.

Although PAS is known to have the inclination to ban various forms of the arts, the timing of this protest left many to wonder if this issue was meant as fodder for the Malay electorate in the Malay-majority states that would be facing elections soon.

Perhaps PAS should take heed of the advice offered by fans and music lovers as well as certain politicians: if you don’t like it, stay at home.

There are people who just want to chill out – as well as be concerned about social issues. – May 20, 2023.