ALOR STAR: The Kedah government has issued an immediate ban on concerts that may lead to unruly behaviour among concert goers in the state.
This follows a video of a concert held at Balai Seni here over the weekend going viral after concert goers resorted to unruly behaviour.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the directive had been conveyed to all District Officers who chair entertainment licensing committees in their respective districts.
"The Muda Mudi Weekend Fest which involved an entertainment concert that led to behaviour which went against the norms will not be allowed in Kedah.
"The incident whereby youths were seen jumping in an unruly manner during a concert at Balai Seni Alor Star yesterday has set a benchmark on how any activity that could lead to overstepping local community norms, must not be allowed to spread," Sanusi said in a Facebook post today.
He said the state government continued to encourage events such as fun run, fun ride, treasure hunt, fishing and other competitions which complied with existing laws and guidelines of open events and are in line with the local community's norms.
Videos of the concert attendees jumping to the tune of loud, heavy metal music had attracted fierce criticism from social media users.
They argued how the Pas-led state government under Sanusi had approved such a concert that was held opposite the state's mosque, Masjid Zahir.
It was learnt that the concert was jointly organised by the state Museum Board and a private event management company.
Earlier today, PKR Kubang Rotan assemblyman Asmirul Anuar Aris lodged a police report against social media users who had linked him and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) leaders with the concert.
Asmirul claimed that the social media users concerned had manipulated his picture with Pengkalan Kundor Amanah assemblyman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh and Pas Pokok Sena Member of Parliament Datuk Mahfuz Omar.
"After attending Pakatan Harapan event in Alor Mengkudu, we were informed about 'Pasar Kopi Sehari' at the location. So, we decided to stop by for a coffee with Datuk Mahfuz.
"I wish to clarify that on social media postings which manipulated video and picture that wrongly portrayed that we were there to support the Muda Mudi Festival.
"The reason we lodged this report is to urge the police to investigate the social media users who had linked us to the controversial concert and tainting our image as elected representatives," he told reporters after lodging the report at Kota Setar police headquarters.
He also called for the menteri besar to take full responsibility over the incident.
"What is his assurance that such an incident will not recur? He must not keep pointing fingers at others to cover his own mistake," he said.
Meanwhile, state Parti Warisan liaison committee chairman Datuk Fadhil Hanafi hit out at the state government for allegedly allowing such concert in front of Masjid Zahir.
"Even during the previous Umno-Barisan Nasional rule, there was no such incident.
"Unfortunately, the Pas-led state government which had been championing Islam has tainted Islamic image by organising such an event.
"It is very shameful for a party which claim to champion Islam but organised such a concert to fish for support from young voters aged 18 and above in the upcoming general election," he said in a statement today.