PETALING JAYA: The Arthur’s Day concert on Sept 25 featuring among others the popular US group Black Eyed Peas is now open to everybody.
Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said it was up to the organiser, Artiste World Entertainment Sdn Bhd, to decide who gets to attend the concert.
“It is totally up to the organiser and it is not right for any authority to bar people from entering the hall to enjoy the music or the show,” he told reporters after the 1Malaysia Song award ceremony at Bangunan Perdana Putra here yesterday.
Dr Rais said it was also up to individuals’ “better judgment” to decide whether they should attend events organised by an alcoholic beverage company.
“We have no legal powers actually to bar people from attending functions,” he said, adding that the ministry had no problem as long as it was “a closed concert” and held according to conditions set by the local government and the police.
The Government had earlier banned Black Eyed Peas from performing in the country because the show was being sponsored by the alcoholic beverage company. However, it later lifted the ban with the condition that it was only allowed for non-Muslims.
In a statement, Artiste World Entertainment Sdn Bhd said it had applied and obtained all the necessary licensing approvals, including the permit for the group to perform live at the event in Sunway Lagoon Resort.
Arthur’s Day is one of the events organised to celebrate Guinness Stout’s 250th anniversary in Malaysia, which will be televised globally.
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