KUALA LUMPUR: Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said even without Singapore's 'sharp elbows' by securing an exclusive deal with Taylor Swift, the singer would not come to Malaysia for her tour.
"Even without Singapore's sharp elbow, Taylor Swift will not be coming to Malaysia… because we (Malaysia), when it comes to things like this, become overly political," he said, in the latest episode of the 'Keluar Sekejap' podcast which features him and former Umno information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan.
In the podcast, both Khairy and Shahril discussed Taylor Swift's six-day Eras Tour in Singapore.
Shahril then responded by saying that several Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) members also raised the issue of lost opportunity in securing the Eras Tour.
"(But) that's not enough (comments from Bersatu members), unless it came from Pas members of parliament… only then we will see big changes," said Khairy.
Earlier, both Shahril and Khairy said Malaysia should emulate the republic in securing concerts by A-list artistes, as well as their efforts in promoting the country.
Shahril said there is nothing new about Singapore using its 'sharp elbows' in its efforts to bring in economic boost to the republic.
"Nothing new about it. That's a grudging respect I guess, a recognition of how they do this… and they have been consistent about it.
"During their F1 week, they host many major conferences before and after the event. This is something we can emulate, not exactly in the same way, but with the same spirit of planning ahead without being constrained by a silo mentality," said Shahril.
Yesterday, Bersatu's legal and constitution bureau deputy chairman Sasha Lyna Abdul Latiff said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh must provide an explanation for the missed economic opportunity.
In a statement, she claimed that communications were initiated between the Malaysian government and 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 said.
However, today Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim told the Dewan Rakyat that the ministry should not be blamed for the failure in securing Taylor Swift's Eras Tour as concerts do not fall under its purview.
He said the request to organise a concert or performance falls under different ministries, as the ministry is only responsible for providing the venue or accommodation and facilitating any matters involving the logistics and so on among others.