Malaysia’s largest live event organisers are standing together to stop all the politicking that’s happening in the concert and live show industry. Event organisers are working hard to support artists, gig workers, live performance venues and to bring in tourists, in line with the national strategy to ensure the stable economic growth of the country.
“We’ve had enough. Throughout Covid we have been fighting to keep the lights on, and we’ve had many assurances that things will get better and we will get the support we need. All these empty promises have not been kept,” says Para Rajagopal, chairman of ALIFE and founder of PR Worldwide.
PAS has recently called for the cancellation of a number of high-profile concerts by international artists. According to Zed Zaidi, president of Persatuan Seniman Malaysia, artists who had passed checks by the Foreign Filming and Performances by Foreign Artistes Application Centre (Puspal) should be permitted to perform in Malaysia because the benefits would boost the local arts industry. Star Planet’s Chief Coordinating Officer, Carmen Liew, asserted that they were simply bringing in outstanding entertainment and boosting tourism. Event organisers would obtain consent and carefully follow the policies of the relevant authorities before organising an event to ensure that all shows are permitted.
“How are we expected to continue building business in Malaysia if we have rogue governments and individuals making statements that have not been thought of or discussed properly?” says Iqbal Ameer, CEO of the Livescape Group. This does not reflect well, and all decisions, big or small, should be based on merit and economic benefits.
- “Have we forgotten the job creations, cultural impact and tourist arrivals that spurn these events and international shows?”
- “Have we forgotten that Malaysia is a multicultural country?”
- “Have we forgotten that we need to trust our rakyat to make their own decisions?”
“We need the rakyat to voice out their concerns and not allow particular groups to dictate what is deemed as appropriate and normal behavior elsewhere, as hedonistic behavior in Malaysia. Everyone sees this as a political move. Divisive politics must be stopped as it affects everyone’s well-being,” remarks Rizal Kamal, ALIFE President.
This country’s ‘political circus’ continues to impact good, honest, hard working people. Some event organisers are already looking to build their business in neighbouring countries as they are welcomed there instead.
Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia have seen an increase in tourists, attributed primarily to a revival in entertainment, with music festivals such as Creamfields, WE THE FEST, Djakarta Warehouse Project, and Zoukout returning after a three-year hiatus.
The event organizers that have pledged are below:
- PR Worldwide
- LOL Asia
- Future Sound Asia
- Livescape Asia
- My Performing Arts Agency (MYPAA)
- Ascension Audioco
- Blastmaster (M) Sdn Bhd
- DOREMI Services & Rental
- My Ticketcharge Sdn Bhd
- Peatix Malaysia
- PJ Live Arts
- SeatAdvisor (My Ticket Asia)
- Trance From Malaysia
- Uberschall Sdn Bhd
- Wanderlust Events
- AC Music Entertainment
- Boss Management & Production Sdn Bhd
- Freeform Untitled
- Frisson 369 Sdn. Bhd.
- Hitman Solutions Live Sdn Bhd
- iLassoTickets Sdn Berhad
- Initium Production
- K Wealthlab Sdn Bhd
- Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS)
- Milestone Production
- My Events International
- NastyInc Management Sdn Bhd
- Pacific & Orient Insurance Co. Berhad
- PFK Production
- PouchNATION
- Sevent Media
- Star Planet
- Shiraz Projects Sdn Bhd
- SKY Events Management
- TwoMissAProduction
- Twosons Audio S/B
- W3 Asia Sdn Bhd
- Chef On Wheels
- Spectra Sound System
- Red Sun Entertainment Sdn Bhd
- Mistique Events
- All The Way To Eleven Sdn Bhd
- AC Music Entertainment Sdn Bhd
- 2 Cool Productions Sdn Bhd
