Kuala Lumpur: British band The 1975 left the country hours before the police received reports against them on Sunday, deputy Inspector-General of Police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said.
Ayob said the band members left at 5.30am, about six hours after the controversial incident at the Good Vibes Festival, but the police only received reports against them at 2pm.
“We could not take action (against the band) as they had already left earlier that morning,” he said at a press conference here today.
Ayob said 13 statements have been recorded from various parties, including the event’s organiser.
SPONSORED CONTENT A&W poised for rapid growth in Sabah Kota Kinabalu: A&W is geared to become the leading Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain in Sabah, with its strong re-entry into Sabah with the opening of the first outlet in Inanam in November 2022. Read more He urged the central committee for applications for filming and performances by foreign artistes (Puspal) to exercise greater caution when allowing foreign artistes into the country.
“If there are bands or foreign artistes who have drawn controversy in the past, and we feel that they are not in line with our culture, there’s no need to invite them,” he said.
Yesterday, former home minister Hamzah Zainudin questioned why the authorities did not arrest the members of The 1975 when it could detain PAS leader Sanusi Nor at 3am over a “minor offence”.
Sanusi was later slapped with two charges of making seditious statements against royalty and was released on bail.
On Saturday, The 1975’s lead singer, Matt Healy, spoke out against Malaysia’s laws on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) community and kissed his male bandmate while performing.
The remaining two days of the festival were later cancelled, and the band has been blacklisted from performing in Malaysia.
Ayob also rubbished Sanusi’s claim that a plot had been devised six months ago to arrest him and damage his credibility.
He said the police only launched an investigation into Sanusi’s remarks at a ceramah after reports were lodged on July 12. He was arrested on July 18.
“There is no such issue of the police conducting an investigation six months before that, nor was there any conspiracy,” he said.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.