Malaysian authorities canceled an all-weekend music festival on Saturday after the singer and the bassist of a British band kissed on stage to denounce Malaysia’s anti-LGBT laws.
British pop rock band The 1975 had to cut their Friday gig at the Good Vibes music festival in Sepang, just outside the capital Kuala Lumpur, short after vocalist Matty Healy kissed bassist Ross MacDonald on stage.
Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia and can lead to jail time. LGBT people are regularly victims of discrimination by the authorities.
Earlier during their concert, Matty Healy vehemently denounced Malaysia’s anti-LGBT laws, adding that the band had considered pulling out of the event.
This act of protest on stage was not a first for Healy, who had already kissed a fan during a 2019 concert in the United Arab Emirates, where anti-LGBT laws are also very strict.
Indonesia’s Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil vowed to take swift action early on Saturday, in a post about the kiss, calling it “very rude”. He then ordered the “immediate cancellation” of the remainder of the three-day festival after meeting with organizers.
“Never touch the sensitivities of our community, especially those that go against the ways and values of the local culture,” he added on Twitter.
In a statement also posted on Twitter, the festival confirmed that the cancellation had been decided by the Department of Communications “following the conduct and controversial remarks of British artist Matty Healy”. “The ministry has emphasized its firm stance against anyone who defies, ridicules or violates Malaysian laws,” the statement added.
In May, Indonesian authorities seized more than 100 LGBT pride-themed rainbow-colored watches from the boutiques of Swiss watchmaker Swatch. This company has since sued the government, claiming damages and demanding the return of the watches.
