Islamic leaders in Malaysia urge cancellation of Ed Sheeran concert over singer’s pro-LGBT stance

SINGAPORE: British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has become the latest target of calls in Malaysia to bar performances in the country by artists who support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. 

Islamist party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia’s (PAS) ulama (cleric) faction, as well as the Penang mufti, have in recent days called on the government to block Sheeran’s concert, which is slated for Feb 24 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. 

Analysts say PAS' move – largely a repeat of what it did for British band Coldplay’s Malaysia gig last November – is likely to fire up its conservative voter base, even if chances of the concert being cancelled are slim.

In a statement on Thursday (Feb 1), PAS ulama chief Ahmad Yahaya called on the government to “take a firm stand by cancelling the concert by a Western artist when Muslims are on the verge of Ramadan”. This year, the Muslim fasting month is expected to start on March 12.

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“What is more saddening is that … the invited artist has a background of (supporting the) LGBT ideology which is firmly rejected by Malaysia,” he said. 

The PAS ulama faction has repeatedly said that pro-LGBT Western artists “should never be allowed to perform in the country”, he added.

The party had similarly lobbied for Coldplay’s concert in Malaysia last year to be cancelled.

And in response to concerts by Korean girl group Blackpink and American singer Billie Eilish, the party had urged the government to “control” the increasing number of concerts and performances held by foreign artists.

“The brouhaha over Ed Sheeran's concert – and Coldplay’s before that – reflects the strategy of the opposition to use ethnoreligious issues such as the LGBT (issue) to strike at the current government. (It is) simply driving a wedge to widen the polarisation seen in the country now,” said Dr Azmil Mohd Tayeb, a political scientist at Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Dr Syaza Shukri, head of the political science department at the International Islamic University Malaysia, said that PAS’ move is a “confirmation” to its conservative voter base – predominantly located outside the country’s capital city – that the party is loyal to its struggle. 

“Most of the people calling for restrictions are those who live outside of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. (The cancellation of this concert will not really) affect them, so that is why it is easier to call for a government intervention (to cancel the concert),” she told CNA.

She added that PAS’ opposition to foreign artists is politically expedient. “It’s easier to call for a boycott of foreign artists because these are not typically the celebrities that conservative voters turn to – they listen to local artists, and local artists do not face restrictions,” said Dr Syaza. 

“(But) of course (PAS) will use the argument that these artists support the LGBT (movement) as the justification.”

‘MANUFACTURED CONTROVERSY WILL HAVE CHILLING EFFECT’

The call to cancel Sheeran’s concert, part of his + - = ÷ × Tour, was initiated by Penang mufti Wan Salim Mohd Noor last Wednesday. 

Addressing the issue, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said last Friday that both the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (PUSPAL) and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) would have already reviewed Sheeran's concert application before he was given permission to perform. 

If there is a need to revise the approval, the government would look into the matter according to its current guidelines, said Mr Fahmi in remarks reported by the Malay Mail. 

But Mr Ahmad said PUSPAL should have stricter conditions to ensure no LGBT elements infiltrate the country through foreign artists.

Homosexuality is a crime in Muslim-majority Malaysia, and the United Kingdom band The 1975 ignited controversy last July when vocalist Matty Healy criticised the country's anti-LGBT laws and kissed a male bandmate onstage at the Good Vibes Festival.

Following the incident, the Malaysian government instructed organisers of concerts by foreign artists to create a "kill switch" that would instantly stop a concert by cutting the power supply.

The latest attempts to block Sheeran’s concert could deter other foreign artists going forward, said Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Dr Azmil.

“The opposition knows that its chance to force the cancellation of the concert is slim but the manufactured controversy will have a chilling effect on performers planning to hold concerts in Malaysia in the future,” he said. 

“(These performers) might just skip Malaysia and hold the concert elsewhere in the region where it is more receptive and not controversial.”