The new guidelines, which are effective next year, prohibit foreign artistes from holding large concerts and live performances on the eve of Islamic public holidays and on the holiday itself.
The prohibition covers the entire month of Ramadan, Awal Muharram, Maulidur Rasul, Israk Mikraj, Nisfu Sya’ban, Nuzul Quran, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, and Hari Raya Aidiladha.
Industries Unite co-founder David Gurupatham said reducing the number of days for live concerts will not only impact entertainment industry players, but also other sub-sectors linked to the industry.
Industries Unite is a coalition made up of 120 SME associations, institutions and trade bodies linked to the entertainment industry.
“The guideline makes it difficult for us (event organisers) to secure the best talents since the foreign artistes have their own calendar,” Gurupatham told FMT.
“It impacts the tourism industry as well in terms of hotels and venues used for the concerts.”
The new guidelines’ economic impact was addressed by communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil during a town hall session with industry players on Thursday.
Acknowledging the “multiplier effect” that concerts and events provide to the economy, Fahmi also said they serve as key tourism offerings, both nationally and internationally.
The town hall session also saw industry players raise concerns such as the vague definition of “large” performances and the term “cross-dressing”.
The new guidelines, which were issued by the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal), included a ban on male performers cross-dressing as women.
Livescape Group, one of the country’s most successful event and music festival organisers, told FMT that “vague guidelines” will slow down the process of organising concerts.
Livescape Group CEO Iqbal Ameer said this would see international artistes less likely to make Malaysia one of their destinations when they tour the region.
“If the international artistes choose not to perform here, we will lose economic opportunities for the tourism and entertainment industries,” said Iqbal.
“When the guidelines are vague, then it forces organisers to have various back-and-forth dialogues with relevant bodies, which slows down the process (of organising events).
“Over the years, we have had many concerts cancelled at the last minute for various issues, causing massive loss to organisers and (affecting) the industry’s credibility.”