PAS Youth Threatens Nationwide Protest If Govt Doesn't Cancel International Concerts
The current Federal Cabinet has several members from the Islamist party, with PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad holding the powerful post of Religious Affairs Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.
Music concerts by international artistes in Malaysia may become a thing of the past if a federal Islamist party's youth wing succeeds.
PAS Youth has threatened to take to the streets for nationwide protests if Putrajaya continues to allow international concerts here.
Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, who is the PAS Youth chief, claimed yesterday, 25 August, that music concerts spread a "culture of hedonism" and go against "the norms and values of Muslim life" in Malaysia.
Fadhli, who is also the Pasir Mas member of parliament (MP), stated that PAS members will play a role in the next Cabinet meeting to ensure that upcoming scheduled international concerts are cancelled.
"On behalf of Dewan Pemuda PAS Malaysia, I sincerely hope that the government, through the relevant ministers, will consider cancelling and withdrawing permission for these concerts to take place. The timing is inappropriate and the values they bring are contrary to Islam as a federal religion," he said.
If the call is ignored, Fadhli warned, PAS Youth will not hesitate to mobilise a "nationwide protest".
International artistes such as Canadian singer Justin Bieber, Korean group Blackpink, and Indonesian legends Dewa19 are among the ones scheduled to perform in Malaysia this year.
Homegrown brand Good Vibes is also scheduled to take place from 23 to 24 September.
For the record, the current Cabinet has several members from the Islamist party, with its vice-president, Idris Ahmad, holding the powerful post of Religious Affairs Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who is the Marang MP, holds a minister-level position for his appointment as the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister to the Middle East. Several other high-ranking members hold other vital Cabinet portfolios in the current administration under Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Fadhli also urged like-minded groups and individuals sensitive to the issue to rise together and prevent the spread of "hedonistic culture"
"Please, [let us] move this protest effort so that it reaches Seri Perdana," he said in his statement yesterday while referring to the official residence of the Prime Minister.
Fadhli made a similar call last Friday, 19 August, warning that continuously organising concerts in the country was "crazy work" that would only invite the "wrath of Allah".
"Stop doing this. Don't provoke the emotions of Muslims. This isn't about politics or partisan politics. This is a religious matter against which Muslims need to be united," he said.
His statement came in the wake of a concert held by Billie Eilish, an American singer-songwriter. Titled 'Happier Than Ever', the concert was held at National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on 18 August.
Image via Ahmad Fadhli bin Shaari (Facebook)
While PAS has always opposed concerts in Malaysia, the Islamist party's threats have increased after it joined the federal government
Back in June this year, PAS vice-president Idris called on Muslims not to participate in the Japanese summer festival of Bon Odori, saying doing so could affect the Islamic religion and beliefs.
Idris, who is the Religious Affairs Minister, created such controversy that the Sultan of Selangor had to pass an order to not block the festival, which was later attended by 35,000 Malaysians.
The PAS vice president has also backed Fadhli's views about concerts.
Without specifying the concert by Eilish, he has expressed disappointment that a concert was held on a Thursday night, which is considered a time to do good for Muslims, reported The Vibes.
"Enough of this distracting entertainment," Idris reportedly said.
In Kelantan, where PAS has ruled since 1990, movie theatres continue to be banned after three decades. And recently, state Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said it will not change:
Speaking of concerts, the International Ballet Gala is soon bringing a star-studded cast to perform the iconic Swan Lake:
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