THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been ordered to take action against social media advertisements that are being used to sell Coldplay concert tickets at exorbitant prices.

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil urged concertgoers to buy tickets through the proper channels to avoid being scammed.

Yesterday, Fahmi said he would discuss the issue of scalpers reselling tickets with Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Salahuddin Ayub.

He also shared a screenshot of a news report that stated that tickets were being resold for up to RM43,000, saying this was “too much”.

Fans of the British rock band were frustrated when they could not purchase tickets for concert, to be held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on November 22, when sales started yesterday.

Ticket prices for the first-ever Coldplay concert in Malaysia ranged from RM228 to RM3,088.

It was reported that ticketing platform Viagogo is selling Category 7 tickets for RM1,749, almost eight times the original price of RM228.

On the Carousell e-commerce platform, Category 4 and 5 tickets, originally priced at RM598 and RM498, were being sold for RM2,499 and RM3,000 respectively.

The most popular Category 3 standing zone tickets, which originally cost RM658, are now being sold for about RM1,400.

Last week, former Temerloh MP Nasrudin Hassan called for the concert to be scrapped, saying it would not bring any good to race, religion and the country.

“Does Putrajaya want to encourage hedonism and perverse cultures in the country (by allowing Coldplay to perform here)?

“I advise (the government) to cancel the concert,” the PAS central working committee member said.

This comes after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had posted a video on Facebook in response to Coldplay’s announcement, welcoming the band to Malaysia and saying: “See you in November!”

Coldplay will have a series of shows in Asia in November as part of their record-breaking “Music of the Spheres” world tour.

The five-member band, led by vocalist and pianist Martin, have picked up accolades, including Favourite Touring Artist at the 2022 American Music Awards and Tour of the Year at the 2023 iHeartRadio Awards. – May 18, 2023.