PETALING JAYA: Michael Jackson was arguably the most iconic pop music sensation of his era.
When news broke in October 1996 that the superstar would stage a two-day concert in Malaysia, Philip Golingai described it as one of the biggest events ever in the local calendar.
“Michael Jackson was huge! Malaysians were so excited and wanted to see him perform before their eyes, instead of listening to his CDs at home or blaring at the pasar malam!” recalled The Star’s senior news editor who was back then a rookie reporter based in the newspaper’s headquarters here.
Tickets for Jackson’s HIStory World Tour in Malaysia were priced between RM65 to RM350 and the concert was scheduled at the Shah Alam Stadium on Oct 27.
However, the Selangor government announced that it would not approve the concert permit.
Then Mentri Besar Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib explained it rather tersely: “We have decided not to allow the concert in view of its values which are unsuitable to a God-fearing society like ours.”
Fans who had bought tickets were on the edge, awaiting updates from the concert organiser.
“It became political. Eventually, the Cabinet decided that the show will go on in Kuala Lumpur at Stadium Merdeka on Oct 27 and 29,” said Philip, who was assigned to cover Jackson’s arrival at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang and at the Concorde Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
“Back then, fans did not have the kind of access to celebrities that they do today through social media and online videos.
“Seeing your favourite performers in the flesh was a rare chance and as a journalist, I had a great opportunity,” he recalled.
At about 1pm, Jackson emerged at the airport’s arrival hall to hundreds of screaming fans.
“He was surrounded by bodyguards and fans were thrilled to see him wave at them,” said Philip, who made sure he was there early to capture the moment.
When it was time to leave the airport, Philip realised that it might take him longer to reach the hotel before Jackson.
“I did not want to miss anything. I wanted to tell the story with all its colour, capturing every tiny detail as well,” he added.
At that time, Penang-based reporter Priscilla Dielenberg was posted here on a three-week work stint.
She said a quick-thinking editor told her to quickly make her way to the Concorde just in case Philip got caught in traffic.
“I got into a taxi, arrived at the hotel in time and waited at hotel entrance. Just then, I was relieved to see Philip make it as well,” she said.
A huge number of fans gathered at the hotel with the pop superstar arriving to the beat of the kompang.
Dielenberg managed to get a closer look at Jackson as she stood among the kompang players.
“He was smiling. When the music stopped, he clapped, thinking it was over, but the performers were actually not done,” said Dielenberg.
Photographer Bonnie Yap was also part of the The Star’s team covering the arrival event at the hotel lobby. She captured an image of the superstar greeting children from an orphanage.
“I heard that some of them waited for hours at the hotel to catch a glimpse of him,” she said.
Yap also photographed Jackson during a shopping trip at 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya.
“Security was very tight as we were not allowed to get near him. I remember he spent about an hour shopping for toys,” she added.
The next day, Yap made her way to Stadium Merdeka to capture the star in action before an estimated 40,000 concertgoers. It was a fine evening at the open-air stadium, with good weather to boot.
He started off with a dazzling performance of Scream, telling screaming fans in typical style: “I love you all”.
“The media were only allowed to take photos during the first song. I had to rush back to the office to get the shots developed for publication,” Yap said.
Looking back, Philip said Jackson’s arrival in KL was a most unforgettable experience for him.
Dielenberg said watching Jackson up close at the Concorde was a cherished memory.
“I will always have a story to tell,” she said.
Those who caught Jackson in KL in 1996 can consider themselves a lucky lot.
It was his one and only visit to the Malaysian capital, till his untimely death on June 25, 2009, in Los Angeles at the age of 50.
