Malaysia Blacklists Promoter

Pineapple Concerts, a major concert promoter in Malaysia, has been “blacklisted” by the government from bringing foreign artists to perform in the country.

The Malaysian culture ministry released a statement April 9 saying it would apply to the Companies Commission of Malaysia to cancel Pineapple’s registration and place the names of its directors on a blacklist.

The government’s move follows the performances of three foreign groups – Korn and N.E.R.D. from the U.S., and Agrikulture from Indonesia – at the March 21 Sunburst Music Festival. The show went on without permits from the culture ministry’s Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes.

Though the authorities did not halt the performances in question, they did question the musicians after the festival and held their passports. Eventually, they determined that the fault lay with the promoter and allowed the musicians to leave the country.

Pineapple was also cited for allowing audience members to dance on the stage, selling alcoholic beverages and engaging in promotion before receiving approval.

“This is the fifth time they have gone against the rules,” the statement said. “They did not take our warnings seriously.”

The ministry also said that Korn and N.E.R.D.’s music had the potential of “damaging the morals of teenagers.”

As for Agrikulture, all the ministry said was that the group did not receive a permit because “there were three other bands from Indonesia performing” at the festival.