Fuss made by PAS Youth over Megadeth show gains no traction

Headbangers: (From second left) Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson, Kiko Loureiro and Dirk Verbeuren walking to the KLIA Immigration and Customs checkpoint after arriving at the airport.

PETALING JAYA: PAS Youth has questioned the approval given to American thrash metal band Megadeth to perform at Stadium Negara tonight, drawing rebuke from politicians and music fans alike.

In a statement yesterday, PAS Youth information chief Hishamuddin Abdul Karim, questioned the approval given by authorities to allow the band to perform here.

He claimed the approval was given without taking into consideration the “bad effects” such bands have on the audience.

“It is in violation of the guidelines on entertainment from the perspective of Islam, published by Jakim (the Malaysian Islamic Development Department) and endorsed by the National Fatwa Committee at its 107th meeting in February 2015,” Hishamudin said.

However, several Barisan Nasional politicians slammed PAS for imposing its morality on a multi-religious and multi-racial Malaysia.

“We don’t have to bow to pressure from PAS which wants to dictate things to us based on its personal views or beliefs,” said MCA Religious Harmony Bureau chairman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker.

“If the relevant authorities have approved the concert, then PAS must respect the decision until the point comes when they actually rule this country,” he added.

Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang said Malaysians have a right to attend concerts they choose to go to.

“PAS does not get the right to set our moral standards,” he said.

MIC Youth chief Datuk Sivarraajh Chandran said PAS only has the right to impose its beliefs in Kelantan where it is in power.

“Leave Kuala Lumpur alone. Don’t spoil things for us here,” he added.

Adib Zalkapli, a political analyst at regional political affairs firm Vriens and Partners, said PAS has always been consistent in opposing certain types of public performances by acts which were popular with the Malay community.

“The party is playing its self-proclaimed role as moral guardian of the Malays and its loyal supporters expect it to,” said Adib.

Megadeth fan Abel Camoens, 28, a physiotherapist, said that even if the concert was cancelled, it would not deter fans like him from continuing to listen to their music or watch them elsewhere.

Another fan, Vishnu Krishnan, 31, a musician, said Malaysian fans of Megadeth were deriving positive qualities from the band’s music.

“I fail to see the negative aspects of their music,” he added.

Events agency Livescape Group chief executive officer Muhammad Iqbal Ameer said PAS needs to give a clear indication of what cannot be allowed.

“There are 6,000 event organisers in the Klang Valley. Cancellations affect everyone’s livelihood and business,” he said.

Local musician Gregory Bajien, 34, asked why there was so much emphasis on Megadeth performing here when there was already a burgeoning Malaysian “metal” music scene.

“The underground scene is still pretty much active. We’ve got local bands that are way heavier and more ‘brutal’, musically and lyrically,” he said.