KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's failure to secure Taylor Swift's Eras Tour should not be blamed on the Youth and Sports Ministry as concerts do not fall under its purview, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim said the request to organise a concert or performance falls under different ministries.
"In terms of organising (the concert), it is not our responsibility to do so. The request to organise any performance is the responsibility of other ministries.
"We are only responsible for providing the venue or accommodation and facilitating any matters involving the logistics and so on. Hence, this is our stand on the matter," he said during minister's question time.
Adam Adli was responding to a supplementary question from Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar) who enquired about the ministry's explanation over Malaysia's non-aggressive measure to secure the Eras Tour, resulting in missed opportunities and the loss of potential revenue.
Yesterday, Bersatu legal and constitution bureau deputy chairman Sasha Lyna Abdul Latiff had called for the unity government to answer for Malaysia's failure to secure Taylor Swift's highly anticipated Eras Tour in the country.
She had said an explanation over the missed economic opportunity must also be provided by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
She had also claimed that communications were initiated between the Malaysian government and Taylor Swift's concert promoter as far back as 2022.
Despite this, Malaysia was unable to seal the deal, while neighbouring Singapore successfully secured the tour, she had said.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Malaysia had the opportunity to host Swift in 2022, but ultimately lost the chance to Singapore a year later.
It was reported that Swift was being considered by the government after a contract was signed with a US venue management company in 2022 to revamp Kuala Lumpur Sports City in Bukit Jalil into a centre for sports and live entertainment.