Fahmi Fadzil falls victim to defamation following cancellation of GVF 2023

Communication and digital minister, Fahmi Fadzil has condemned the spread of defamatory posters on social media alleging that the minister orchestrated a cyber army to generate hate towards the Malaysian Islamic Party for cancelling the Good Vibes Festival 2023 (GVF 2023) last weekend. 

A police report to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has been made by Fahmi, according to a tweet by the minister.

Don't miss: How The 1975's antics have 'threatened the stability' of Malaysia's live entertainment scene

Over the weekend, The 1975 caused the total cancellation of the highly anticipated Good Vibes Festival when its lead singer, Matty Healy, went on an expletive-laden rant against Malaysia’s anti-LGBTQ laws, which culminated in a prolonged kiss between him and his bandmate, Ross Macdonald.

Following the events of GVF 2023, the poster alleged that the minister wished to spin a malicious narrative regarding the event to highlight the Malaysian Islamic Party as an extremely conservative party.

The defamatory poster also accused Fahmi of creating ill will as he approved The 1975’s permit to perform at GVF 2023 which prompted the minister to post a timeline of events leading up to the band’s performance on Twitter.

He clarified that on 23 June 2023, PUSPAL (the central committee for application for filming and performance by foreign artistes), rejected the GVF organiser’s request to bring in The 1975 due to the group’s poor track record in other countries.

Furthermore, on 16 July 2023, the organisers appealed and gave a written guarantee from the band’s manager to be fully responsible for the band’s actions which was approved by PUSPAL.

Fahmi continued saying that he had called the organisers to meet him the morning after the group behaved rudely on stage where the rest of the concert was cancelled, and tickets were to be refunded to the event goers.

As the nation clamps down on its cybersecurity measures, last week Malaysia’s minister of education, Fadhlina Siddiq was a victim of copycat social media posts that claimed that the minister curses and degrades Malay individuals from Penang.

A police report has been made by Fadhlina and an investigation is underway to find individuals who spread defamatory material, according to a tweet by the minister as seen by A+M.

Fadhlina further emphasised that the freedom of speech is not the freedom to defame others and she will not hesitate to sue for the continued spread of shame and slander in the tweet.

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