“However, the government will look into any proposal or change in standard operating procedures from time to time after discussing it with the relevant agencies and stakeholders,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.

Fahmi was responding to Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading), who wanted to know if the government intended to include urine tests as an SOP for concert goers to curb the consumption of drugs.

While Aminolhuda made no reference to any incident, the Selangor government had said in January it would recommend that urine tests be made an SOP for concert goers to prevent drug use at concerts held in the state.

The proposal for concert goers to undergo urine tests came in the wake of the deaths of four revellers at the Pinkfish New Year countdown event last December. They were confirmed to have died from consuming stimulant drugs at the concert.

However, the National Anti-Drugs Agency said such tests were both impractical and difficult to carry out at concert venues.

Fahmi said the central committee for applications for filming and performances by foreign artistes (Puspal), which comes under his ministry’s purview, had drawn up safety guidelines for organisers to refer to.

“Among them is that organisers must take the necessary steps before, during and after a performance to prevent smoking, as well as the consumption of alcohol and drugs throughout,” he said.