THE government has called off the remainder of the three-day Good Vibes Festival that was to end tomorrow

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the decision was made after a controversial incident involving UK band The 1975 yesterday, which had breached Malaysian laws.

“I want to stress that the unity government’s stand is very clear. No compromise towards anyone who challenges, ridicules and violates Malaysian laws

“I have ordered the immediate cancellation of the rest of the festival that was scheduled to run from today to tomorrow, July 23,” he said in a Facebook post after a meeting with festival organiser Future Sound Asia today.

The performance by The 1975 came under fire after its frontman Matt Healy uttered profanities insulting the Malaysian government.

He was seen performing while holding a bottle of wine and a lit cigarette, and spitting on stage during their set last night. 

Healy also gave a brief speech that included profanities directed at the government. 

He kissed his male guitarist after making the speech and continued performing the last two songs of the night. 

The three-day music festival was set to showcase more than 40 acts, international as well as local. 

Earlier today police said it had contacted the festival’s organiser to provide more details about the controversial performance by UK band last night.  

“There is no official investigation at this point as no police reports have been lodged yet, but we are making some enquiries.

“The police will be calling in the concert’s organiser later this afternoon. KLIA police will be handling it,” Free Malaysia Today reported the Selangor police chief as saying.

In a separate statement, the Central Agency for Application of Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal), said The 1975 is now blacklisted from performing in the country.

Puspal has filed a police report against the UK band and the event organiser for negligence and failure to comply with the conditions set for the group to perform in Malaysia.

“When the application was made, the organisers assured full responsibility for the artistes’ performance. The band’s conduct is an insult to our country’s laws and a violation of Malaysia’s moral values,” it said in the statement. – July 22, 2023.