Coldplay plays on in MY with 'kill switch' in effect

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A 'kill switch' was reportedly in effect last night when British pop-rock band Coldplay took to the stage amidst calls by The Muslim Scholars Association of Malaysia (PUM) to cancel it over the band's support for the LGBTQ+ community.

According to communications and digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, the use of the 'kill switch' to stop Coldplay’s concert if it goes out of line was discussed with the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal) and the concert’s organiser.

The Star also reported that discussion have been positive and that he was upbeat about the concert going on particularly as the band is supportive of Palestine.

Don't miss: PM Anwar dismisses calls to cancel Coldplay concert, will discuss matter with Mufti

The 'kill switch' was created for concerts with foreign artists to avoid a repetition of the incident by The 1975 at the Good Vibes Festival 2023 (GVF) earlier this year. At the concert, lead singer Matt Healy went on a rant onstage about the country's LGBTQ+ laws and kissed a fellow bandmate in front of the audience.

The 'kill switch' will stop a concert by cutting its power supply, said Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching during a question-and-answer session at Dewan Rakyat at the time, according to Malay Mail.

With regards to the requests made by PUM to cancel to concert, in a statement to A+M, it said that “the organisation of this hedonistic program clearly neglects Muslims and Malaysians because it is far from local norms and morals”.

However, a statement from Malaysia's Communications and Digital Ministry (KKD) explained that the organisers have assured them that the group will comply with PUSPAL guidelines as well as the rules and laws of Malaysia.

It also added at the time that the concert will go on as Coldplay’s views on the LGBTQ+ community are their own opinions which does not conflict with Islamic law.

Just this week, Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also dismissed calls to ban or cancel the Coldplay concert in Kuala Lumpur, stressing that the British band is Pro-Palestinian.

"Coldplay stands out as one of the many rock bands that actively advocates for Palestine,” said Anwar. “We had previously approved the Coldplay concert due to their stance on Palestine.”

"However, I will be meeting with the Mufti to address this situation, as there are advocates from the Palestinian movement who have expressed their support and provided insights to my foreign minister and office,” he said. “They have raised concerns about why a group that actively supports the Palestinian struggle is being prevented from performing.”

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