Minister Fahmi will take legal action for graphic posted after Coldplay concert

Malaysia’s communications and digital minister, Fahmi Fadzil, will reportedly be taking legal action over the people who created and shared an image of him saying “alhamdulillah” over the recent Coldplay concert in Kuala Lumpur.

The phrase, which translates to “all praises and thanks to god”, was reportedly taken out of context from something he previously said in a Berita Harian story.

Don’t miss: Coldplay plays on in MY with 'kill switch' in effect

The minister said that the graphic came with an accusation that he found defamatory and with malicious intent, during a press conference as seen by A+M.

He also added that his lawyers will be examining all parties involved in the making and spread of the graphic.

In a report by Free Malaysia Today, Minister Fahmi also stated that his original statements are available on the Berita Harian’s website. According to the report, he was quoted in the Berita Harian stating that the success of the Coldplay concert was a result of good cooperation between the organisers, artistes, and authorities involved.

However, he said that his statements were then taken out of context to suggest that he expressed the phrase “alhamdulillah” over the smooth progress of the concert.

A+M has reached out to the communications and digital ministry (KKD) for more information.

The Coldplay concert, which was held in Kuala Lumpur on 23 November 2023, successfully took place with a “kill switch” reportedly in effect. The “kill switch” was ordered by the KKD to avoid a repetition of the incident in which the frontman of English pop rock band, The 1975, went on a tirade against the Malaysian government during the Good Vibes Festival 2023 in July this year.

The Coldplay concert went on despite earlier calls by The Muslim Scholars Association of Malaysia (PUM) to cancel the concert over the band’s support for the LGBTQ+ community.

According to minister Fahmi, the use of the “kill switch” to stop Coldplay’s concert in the event of it going out of line was discussed with the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (PUSPAL) and the concert’s organiser.

In a statement to A+M, PUM said at the time 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 the 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.

Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also dismissed earlier calls to ban or cancel the concert in Kuala Lumpur, citing that the British band’s pro-Palestinian stance. "Coldplay stands out as one of the many rock bands that actively advocates for Palestine,” he said at the time. “We had previously approved the Coldplay concert due to their stance on Palestine.”

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