COMMUNICATIONS and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil’s immediate cancellation of the remainder of the three-day Good Vibes Festival 2023 (GVF) , after one of the international artistes pulled a “non-compliance” stunt on stage that breached Malaysian laws, has put the spotlight on the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal).

Puspal was formed based on the cabinet decision made in 2001 to coordinate and consider all applications for filming and performance by foreign artistes. It is a committee comprising several government agencies.

Puspal has been under the purview of the Communications and Multimedia Ministry since 2013. It has formulated guidelines on application for filming and performance by foreign artistes, which were first published in 2005 and revised at least twice.

Appendix B to the Puspal guidelines sets out the application procedures and regulations for foreign artistes performance. Paragraph C of the appendix sets out the performance guidelines and regulations for foreign artistes.

Under 5.1.2 (Conduct during the Performance) foreign artistes are prohibited from displaying actions and speech that may cause discomfort to the audience and that touch upon religious and social sensitivities, and are contrary to local cultural values, such as:

1. Performing in a wild manner, provocatively and displaying actions that are contrary to the performance code of ethics;

2. Throwing objects at the audience;

3. Displaying actions or speech that are indecent, with provocative acts such as kissing;

4. Performing actions or making utterances that may be deemed as seditious, calling on the audience to be proud of a particular class of society or religion in the context of racial polarisation that may affect the country’s stability;

5. Entertaining or mingling with the audience at any time whereas their performance should be limited to the stage; and

6. Other conditions stipulated by the local authority.

It is further stated that any party affected by the actions taken or decisions made “shall have no rights to claim any damages or compensation from the government, nor shall they have any right to take any legal action against the government”.

While many Malaysians have joined the government in condemning the British band for its “rude” behaviour and disrespect of the country’s laws while performing at the GVF, quite unexpectedly, the cancellation of the GVF has stirred hot debate on social media.

We should be mindful however that the Selangor police have said that they fully support the government’s decision to immediately cancel the GVF due to safety concerns.

According to Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan, the KLIA district police headquarters received three police reports against the British band.

“That incident was also said to have touched on Malaysian society’s sensitivities and had belittled Malaysia’s laws,” he said in a statement.

The police are an authority whose instruction may lead to the cancellation of the GVP. Reasons related to public interest, national policy, religious, cultural and racial sensitivities may also lead to cancellation.

So, before we slam the decision to abruptly cancel the GVF, learn the law.

Let’s support the government’s plan to assist the affected artistes and food vendors.

Let’s do this in memory of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Salahuddin Ayub who died last night.

Salahuddin’s humility and refined manners and ways should inspire us to work for the wellbeing of the people. – July 24, 2023.

* Hafiz Hassan reads The Malaysian Insight.