'Don't go' - KJ advises PAS to drop Coldplay campaign

'Don't go' - KJ advises PAS to drop Coldplay campaign


Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has advised PAS to drop its campaign against the upcoming Coldplay concert and consider the economic benefits of the concert.

"If you don't want to watch Coldplay, don't go. That is all," said Khairy on his Keluar Sekejap YouTube programme with former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan.

Khairy said this when asked by Shahril for his thoughts on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's decision to welcome Coldplay to Malaysia, which was met with claims by PAS leaders that the band had an LGBT agenda.

Anwar noted Coldplay's more prominent environmental campaign, including pledges to make its tours more climate-friendly and lower their carbon footprint.

Khairy (above, left) said Malaysians were "starving" for concerts and if artists do not perform here, locals will head to neighbouring countries to watch performances.

"(Coldplay) always bypasses Malaysia. Now, surprisingly, they are coming here in November. I've never watched Coldplay unlike Shahril because I was waiting for them to come here. I am not a T20.

"Does the concert bring benefits? Certainly. It is a big concert... (Foreigners) will come here to watch it. If the tickets sell out, they might add another date and there will be more business for Malaysia. That is what we need to point out," he said.

Meanwhile, Shahril questioned PAS for criticising Coldplay but kept mum when other major concerts were held when it was part of the federal government.

"There were concerts when PAS was in the government but it was silent. This is another example that it is easy to criticise, but PAS' attacks are off the mark," he said.

Among others, top international acts such as Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, and Black Pink either performed or had their concerts approved in 2022.

There were some statements by PAS figures on Eilish and Bieber's concerts but they were relatively muted and stopped short of demanding a cancellation.