New directive sets dress, conduct rules for concerts in Malaysia

PETALING JAYA – Concertgoers in Malaysia have been advised to dress appropriately, avoid disruptive behaviour and respect the nation’s cultural and religious sensitivities.

These rules are not meant to dampen the concert expe­rience but to ensure that such events can be enjoyed safely and in line with local values, said Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general for strategic com­munications and the creative indus­try Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin.

He added that concerts must not become scenes of disorder or obscenity, and prohibited items, such as weapons, alcohol, drugs and political or religious signs, will not be allowed in the venues.

The ministry’s Unit for Application for Foreign Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal) has recently updated its guidelines that also extend to audiences as part of the duties of organi­sers.

Mr Nik Kamaruzaman said concertgoers are expected to dress appropriately and behave respectfully, adding that disruptive acts, such as shouting offensive slogans, instigating religious sentiments or throwing objects, could lead to removal from the venue.

The guidelines state that clothes that are immodest or excessively revealing are not allowed.

Concert organisers must brief fo­reign artistes on Malaysia’s cultural, religious and legal expectations before they perform in the country.

Male interna­tional performers are not allowed to perform in women’s clothes, while perfor­mers of both genders cannot remove their clothing on stage. They cannot wear outfits that expose the chest area, and those with lengths excessively above the knee.

Large-scale concerts – with crowds of more than 5,000 people – cannot be held on the eve or on the day of Islamic public holidays unless approval is obtained from the religious authorities.

Event organisers must ensure that these performers acknow­ledge the briefing about such rules.

As for a

“kill switch” mechanism

that was announced in 2023 to curb unwanted incidents during a show, Mr Nik Kamaruzaman said it has been used only once since its enforcement.

The system, which enables concerts to be halted immediately if the performer breaches guidelines, was triggered during South Korean singer Hyo­lyn’s Ye!LoO concert on May 31.

A brief video circulating on TikTok showed the stage plunging into darkness while the singer and her dancers were perfor­ming.

However, concertgoers said the lights came back on shortly after and the show resumed.

It is believed that the concert was interrupted because the performers wore revealing clothes.

The plan for the “kill switch” came about following a controversial act by singer Matty Healy, who was performing with his band The 1975 in July 2023, when he ranted about the country’s LGBTQ laws before

kissing his bandmate on stage

.

The mechanism was first tested during Coldplay’s 2023 concert before it was formally implemen­ted in 2025.

Mr Nik Kamaruzaman said there would be two to six Puspal officers stationed at each event, supported by other agencies including the police, the Inland Revenue Board, the Malay­sian Islamic Development De­­partment and the Immigration Department.

“Under the Incident Management Plan, local authority officers and event organisers have the mandate to activate the kill switch on the advice of Puspal officers,” he told The Star.

The decision must be made by the head of the enforcement team from the local authority.

Reports of any activation will be tabled at a Puspal committee meeting for further action to be taken against organisers. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK