There must be better ways to handle the problem.
The death of four people at the New Year’s Eve concert in Bandar Sunway recently was a tragedy but it was still an isolated incident.
The temporary suspension of all concerts pending a review by the police is already a knee-jerk reaction. But the proposal by the Selangor state government that all concert-goers are screened first is a tall order.
It is ridiculous to suggest that urine tests be conducted for concert-goers.
The state government must be very ambitious to expect thousands of attendees to undergo such a screening as a condition to attend a concert.
If we do this, as state executive councillor Ng Suee Lim suggested, as part of the standard operating procedure (SOP), then we may very well be the first in the world to do such a thing.
It will be interesting to know how such an SOP can be enforced and, for that matter, how any form of detection can be carried out effortlessly with tens of thousands of people entering the stadium or concert venues, as pills or forms of drugs can easily be concealed.And while we are on this subject, why not just extend it to football matches and political gatherings?
The state local government and tourism committee chairman has good intentions but he has to think of a more workable approach. Even with the most foolproof of scanners, as installed at airports, there will be some who slip through.
Bag checks and security wands are already common practices that are used at many concert venues.
Last week, the Selangor police imposed a temporary halt on all concerts until it completed a probe into the death of the four at the Pinkfish Countdown 2024 concert.
Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the immediate order will remain in force until his team is confident that organisers are able to guarantee they can control concerts, especially to prevent criminal elements such as drug distribution at such events.
With due respect, isn’t it the job of the police rather than untrained concert organisers?
Their main job is to ensure the show goes on smoothly and the crowd is properly controlled.
It is important that SOPs are tightened and the public is reminded that prohibited items are banned at concert venues, but it is better that the Selangor state exco members sit down with stakeholders to come up with reasonable measures.
It does not make sense for these exco members, with no experience in holding concerts, to decide on punitive measures without considering their practicality.
Music tourism is a multi-billion ringgit revenue earner for Malaysia, especially Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
In 2023, the country reportedly lost RM1bil in potential entertainment receipts after concerts were scrapped amid stringent rules and protests from religious parties, particularly PAS.
The spillover benefits from music tourism include airlines, hotels, restaurants, shops and limo and e-hailing drivers.
There has to be a multifaceted approach that includes prevention, education, enforcement, and creating a safer environment.
It will be good if organisers push a zero-tolerance policy for drugs, both in event advertisements and on-site signage.
But if we want show promoters to be responsible for security, then they have to seriously consider hiring auxiliary police or undercover cops to monitor potential drug-related activities.
Here, we are not talking about Rela personnel or security guards from Nepal but qualified security officers with enforcement backgrounds.
Perhaps the Selangor government can impose a mandatory requirement for public broadcasts before the show begins warning against drug abuses and the penalties that users and pushers will face.
Ultimately the battle against drug abuse can be better channelled through education.
We should not let a small group of junkies spoil the show.
None of us deserve to be punished for the irresponsible actions of these people.
