DIGP: The 1975 left country before police reports filed

KUALA LUMPUR: British band The 1975 left the country six hours after the incident and long before the first reports against them were lodged, says the Deputy Inspector-General of Police.

Addressing claims of police inaction to arrest band members, DIGP Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said that the first report was lodged at 2pm on July 22, which was hours after the band had left the country.

“There are those who question why the police didn’t act quickly. This incident occurred on July 21 at 11.30pm and we understand that the concert was stopped soon after.

“The band then left the country the very next morning at 5.30am so it was only six hours before they flew off. The report was made at 2pm so by the time it was made, we were already unable to take action because they had already left,” he said after an event to see off police athletes yesterday in Bukit Aman.

As of now, a total of 18 police reports have been lodged, with eight made in Selangor.

Thirteen statements have been recorded, including from the organisers and the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal).

“If there is any charging in the future, we will contact our counterparts in the United Kingdom,” he said, adding that they would also contact their counterparts for assistance in their investigations.

“I am confident that going forward Puspal will be more careful,” he said.

On Friday, band singer Matty Healy started ranting on stage about the country’s LGBTQ laws before kissing bassist Ross MacDonald at the Good Vibes Festival at the Sepang International Circuit.

Organisers pulled the plug on the band’s performance and the remaining two days of the music festival were cancelled by the Communications and Digital Ministry.

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said in a previous report that investigations were opened under Sections 509 and 504 of the Penal Code as well as Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act.

At yesterday’s event, Ayob Khan said that a total of 20 athletes have been sent to compete in the upcoming World Police and Fire Games in Winnipeg, Canada.

“This time our participation will be in two events, which are badminton and athletics,” he said.