Lee Chean Chung and Sharul Channa (right).
PETALING JAYA: Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung says the unity government should protect the unique multicultural backgrounds that have made Malaysia what it is today.
Expressing disappointment over the government's decision to cancel a performance by Singaporean comedian Sharul Channa, Lee said the move was contrary to the government's aim to boost the economy and establish the Klang Valley and Malaysia as an arts and entertainment hub.
He said the cancellation made at the eleventh hour sets a bad precedent that such events can be called off any time before a performance merely by lodging a police report.
Lee said Channa's permit to perform was revoked based on her 2018 comedy video, which allegedly touched on 3R issues. The video had previously been approved by the Malaysian censorship board and featured on television in the "Comedy Central Asia: Stand-Up Asia" programme.
"Moreover, the permit was cancelled despite Channa's assurance that her show at the PJ Live Arts centre would not touch on 3R issues," he said.
The order to drop Channa from the comedy event came just 24 hours before her set.
Appeals made by the event organiser with the Communications Ministry to reconsider the revocation of Channa's work permit were unsuccessful.
