MY's single Coldplay show a 'missed economic lottery' compared to SG's six, says Syed Saddiq

Malaysian politician, Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman has deemed it a ‘missed economic lottery’ after Coldplay sold out six shows in Singapore while Malaysia continues to only be running one show. 

Between the countries, a clear disparity in profits can be expected as a result of this. 

The president of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance took to Facebook to share his disappointment by saying: “Coldplay is doing a six-day tour in Singapore. Yesterday it was five days, today they added another date. Over in Malaysia, there are so many obstacles to hold just one concert […] But what does the Coldplay concert in Singapore have to do with Malaysia? We actually missed the economic lottery,” he wrote in the post as seen below.

Saddiq went on to make the claim that ticket sales could earn Singapore RM180 million over the six days, backing the claim by adding that Singapore's National Stadium can hold 50,000 people, and with an average ticket price of RM600, nearly RM30 million can be generated a day.

Moreover, he said that foreign countries are seizing such opportunities to generate an economic surplus, while Malaysia is facing more obstacles in doing so. 

Don't miss: Coldplay comes to Asia: Quick thinking brands joining in on the fun

One such is obstacle is when a political leader from the Malaysian Islamist party, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), Nasrudin Hassan, called for Coldplay’s concert last November to be cancelled, which then was contested by local government minister Nga Kor Ming. Hassan took to Facebook to question the government on encouraging a culture of perversion, while the post was accompanied by images of the lead vocalist, Chris Martin holding a rainbow flag in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

His post went on to add that the concert will add no benefit to religion, race and country.

According to media reports, Minister Nga responded to Hassan by stating that if the religious party does not like Coldplay, they can choose not to buy their concert tickets, instead of stopping Coldplay fans from attending the concert. Alongside Minister Nga, chairman of Shah Alam’s Democratic Action Party, Shakir Ameer took to his Facebook to say that PAS’ protest was illogical and failed to take into account that concerts like Coldplay’s present a huge economic opportunity that Malaysia should take advantage of.

Ameer also stated that Coldplay’s tour intends to promote sustainability, recycling culture and "reduction of CO2 emissions, which are good values that Islam also acknowledges for the benefit of the environment.”

The Coldplay concert definitely seems to be a lucrative opportunity that not only economies, but brands can benefit from as well. With Coldplay's whopping six shows in Singapore gaining overwhelming public attention, brands are getting in on the excitement by trendjacking. From Durex to Lazada, nearly thirty brands, and counting, are jumping on the Coldplay bandwagon. 

Related articles:
Coldplay comes to Asia: Quick thinking brands joining in on the fun
Brands turn to trendjacking as Swatch-OMEGA's CX fails to land with product shortages
Why are brands trendjacking SAJC school elections in Singapore?