Ed Sheeran should be banned from performing in Malaysia during his world tour because of his stance on LGBT rights, the country's Islamic Party said.
The British singer-songwriter will perform at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur later this month as part of his colossal two-year Mathematics Tour.
But on the eve of Ramadan in March, an annual time of holy reflection for Muslims, Malaysia's opposition party released a statement calling on the government to take a “strong stand” against the “sad” decision to allow the event.
The statement from DUPP leader Ahmad Yahaya said that appearing as an “invited artist” would “contaminate the sanctity of the month of Ramadan.” [sic] has a background of LGBT ideology, which Malaysia strongly rejects.
The Muslim-majority Southeast Asian country was shocked last year when The 1975 frontman Matt Healy kissed his bandmate Ross MacDonald on stage during a performance last year.
Since then, the DUPP has pushed for stricter restrictions on foreign acts, calling the “indecent scene” a “disgusting tragedy.”
However, conservative opposition has not yet been enough to ban artists for their views, with Malaysia allowing a Coldplay concert to go ahead in November despite outcry from Muslims over the band's support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Ed Sheeran (center) and Aaron Dessner at the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 4, 2024
Matt Healy (in green) kisses his bandmate on stage during a concert in Malaysia last July
Muslim protesters are calling for the cancellation of a concert by British band Coldplay because of their stance on LGBTQ+ rights
In the statement released on February 1, the Islamic Party of Malaysia called on the government to completely ban artists who openly support the LGBT community from performing ahead of Sheeran's upcoming concert on February 24.
The DUPP argued that at a time when many Muslims are fasting, studying the Quran and refraining from vices to get closer to God, it would be culturally insensitive to allow such artists to enter the country.
Malaysia's anti-LGBT laws
Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia and laws criminalizing sodomy are punishable by prison.
Authorities also regularly discriminate against LGBTQ people in the country, and human rights groups have warned of growing intolerance.
In addition, Muslims could be tried in a court under Sharia law, with the possibility of a court-sanctioned death penalty for homosexuality.
The country has no LGBT rights and no laws protecting the community from discrimination and hate crimes.
Talk therapy is not only practiced regularly, but is also promoted by prominent personalities.
In 2023, it was the second worst country in the world for transgender rights, according to the Global Trans Rights Index.
The DUPP boss linked Ed Sheeran's upcoming performance to The 1975's performance last year, which saw the Good Vibes Festival eventually abandoned and the band ordered to pay $2.6 million in damages, demanding the government to “never allow the performance of an LGBT-friendly Western artist.” to respect the glory of the month of Ramadan.
He described Matt Healy's appearance as an “insult” to the country's “attitude of rejecting ideology”.
“Aren’t we learning from the mistakes of the past?” Are we becoming increasingly desensitized, especially when the performance takes place at a time when Muslims are preparing for the start of Ramadan? he said.
Healy was filmed on stage in July 2023 giving his bassist a kiss and railing against the Malaysian government, sparking outrage among conservative Muslims.
Four months later, the country's communications and digital minister responded to the outcry by threatening British band Coldplay with a “kill switch” to shut down their November performance if they violated cultural sensitivities.
The ministry instructed organizers that they must have a switch to stop performances in case artists go off script and say something that deviates from the country's culture and beliefs.
Minister Fahmi Fadzilit made diplomatic overtures at the time, noting: “The Prime Minister also said that the band is very supportive of Palestine. “So we are optimistic about the concert.”
Concern was raised by protests organized across the country urging the government to ban Coldplay entirely.
Regardless, around 75,000 fans attended the performance, making it the country's largest concert to date.
Chris Martin, the band's frontman, hasn't shied away from using his stage to discuss personal political issues.
During a performance in Tokyo last year, he told his audience:
“There is so much trouble in the world right now, so many terrible things are happening.” Most people on earth are full of love, kindness and compassion.
“I don’t want to judge anyone for being themselves. We don’t believe in oppression, occupation, terrorism, genocide, anything like that.”
“Wherever you want to send this in the world now, you send it.” You can send it to Gaza and Israel, you can send it to the West Bank, Azerbaijan, Albania, Ukraine, Russia, Iran, “To Sudan, to Elo Congo, to your sister, your mother, your brother – anyone you think needs love from Tokyo,” he added.
Matty Healy criticized Malaysia's anti-gay laws in a profanity-filled speech before the controversial kiss
After The 1975 was banned, outspoken singer Matt Healy quickly hit back at conservative critics, writing online: “Okay, why don't you try not messing with Ross for 20 years? Not as easy as it looks.”
He also posted a series of throwback snaps with MacDonald to imply a very close relationship between the two and poke fun at the ban.
He also shared a video of a speech by author and speaker Christopher Hitchens amid the AIDS crisis, in which he said: “Homosexuality is not just a form of sex – it is a form of love.”
In his speech before the kiss, Healy said: “I don't see the point in inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with.”
He added: “I made a mistake.” “When we were booking shows, I didn't bother.”
“Unfortunately you don't get many pep songs because I'm fucking angry and that's not fair to you because you're not representative of your government because you're young people and I am.” “I'm sure many of you are gay, progressive and cool.”
He later ended the set abruptly, saying, “Okay, we have to go.” “We've just been banned from Kuala Lumpur.”
A source close to the band told Web at the time: “Matty has long been an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and the band wanted to stand up for their LGBTQ+ fans and the community.”
The band later canceled two upcoming tour dates in Asia.