PETALING JAYA: Stricter background checks and contracts are needed to avoid foreign artistes from raising controversies when performing in the country, say entertainment industry players.
Malaysian Artistes Association (Karyawan) president Datuk Freddie Fernandez said stricter background checks could serve as a pre-emptive measure.
“The 1975’s Matty Healy has a history of being problematic and making controversial comments in public and on social media, even before the Good Vibes Festival.
“In 2019, he caused similar outrage in Dubai when he kissed a male fan while performing on stage, despite the United Arab Emirates’ strict anti-LGBT laws.
“Stricter background checks into an artiste’s history and social media must be done to identify red flags like these in the future,” he said.
Fernandez added that background checks should be conducted by both event organisers and the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal).
However, he cautioned against making the approval process for foreign artistes too strict as this would only hurt local organisers.
“We cannot be too heavy-handed in our approach and enforcement because it would only hurt Malaysia’s image as an open-minded country,” he said.
Meanwhile, veteran singer Datuk DJ Dave called for foreign artistes’ contracts to be more financially binding to discourage similar incidents.
“Healy’s actions displayed a complete lack of care for possible consequences, especially as he flew home immediately after the incident.
“Either the organiser or artistes themselves should pay a deposit before they’re allowed to go up on stage.
“Only when the performance or event is over should they be given back their deposit,” he said.
Malaysian Association for Music Education Dr Ramona Mohd Tahir suggested greater accountability in the approval and rejection process involving all parties.
“Come up with clear guidelines and rules,” she said.
