In Malaysia, the government cut short a music festival after the lead singer of British band The 1975 broke the nation’s anti-gay laws and kissed a male bandmate.
Fahmi Fadzil, the minister of communications and digital media, criticized Matty Healy’s behavior late on Friday at the opening of the Good Vibes Festival as “very rude.” In his address, Healey profanely criticized the government’s approach.
Before kissing bassist Ross MacDonald, he spoke out against homosexuality. Social media users released video of the incident, which led to a backlash in the mostly Muslim country.
Fadzil announced the cancellation of the festival, which was supposed to take place this weekend, after meeting with the organizers on Saturday.
“There will be no compromise with any party that challenges, belittles, or violates Malaysian laws,” he said on Facebook. In this nation, homosexuality is a crime that carries a caning sentence of up to 20 years.
The organization in charge of approving foreign musicians’ performances expressed displeasure with the band’s behavior, calling it “an insult and disrespecting the laws of the country.” It was stated that the group would no longer be permitted to perform in Malaysia.
Healy had previously stood on stage to support homosexual and lesbian rights. He reportedly kissed a male fan at a concert in the United Arab Emirates in 2019, another country that forbids homosexual behavior.
Fahmi Fadzil, the minister of communications and digital media, criticized Matty Healy’s behavior late on Friday at the opening of the Good Vibes Festival as “very rude.” In his address, Healey profanely criticized the government’s approach.
Before kissing bassist Ross MacDonald, he spoke out against homosexuality. Social media users released video of the incident, which led to a backlash in the mostly Muslim country.
Fadzil announced the cancellation of the festival, which was supposed to take place this weekend, after meeting with the organizers on Saturday.
“There will be no compromise with any party that challenges, belittles, or violates Malaysian laws,” he said on Facebook. In this nation, homosexuality is a crime that carries a caning sentence of up to 20 years.
The organization in charge of approving foreign musicians’ performances expressed displeasure with the band’s behavior, calling it “an insult and disrespecting the laws of the country.” It was stated that the group would no longer be permitted to perform in Malaysia.
Healy had previously stood on stage to support homosexual and lesbian rights. He reportedly kissed a male fan at a concert in the United Arab Emirates in 2019, another country that forbids homosexual behavior.