(CNN) — A three-day music festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has been canceled after lead singer of British band The 1975, Matty Healy, criticized the country’s anti-LGBT laws and kissed a fellow band member on stage.
The on-stage incident at the Good Vibes festival in Kuala Lumpur on Friday night prompted the country’s Ministry of Communications to cancel the rest of the festival.
Same-sex sexual acts are illegal in Malaysia and are punishable by fines, up to 20 years in prison.
In an expletive-laden speech during the band’s show on Friday, which was captured in a video widely shared on social media, Healy said: “I don’t see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with.”
Addressing the audience, Healy added that the band considered canceling the show, but decided not to disappoint fans.
And Healy added in the video before guitarist Ross McDonald walks up to him and kisses him on stage: “If you want to invite me over here to perform … you can block me, and I’ll take your money, but I’ve done that before, and I don’t feel good.”
Good Vibes said in a statement following the incident: “We deeply regret to announce that the remaining schedule of Good Vibes 2023, scheduled for today and tomorrow, has been canceled following controversial behavior and remarks by British artist Matty Healy of The 1975.”
For its part, the Ministry of Communications and Digitization in Malaysia said: “This decision is bound by the immediate cancellation order issued at 1:20 pm (local time), July 22, 2023, by the ministry.”
The ministry affirmed its firm stance towards any party that defies, mocks or opposes Malaysian laws, and said: “We sincerely apologize to all ticket holders, vendors, sponsors and partners.”
CNN has reached out to Malaysia’s Ministry of Home Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office for comment.
Matty Healy’s actions sparked controversy online, with some fans complaining that the group’s actions would lead to further crackdowns on performance art and make it difficult for musical artists to perform in Malaysia in the future.
2023-07-22 17:21:05
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