PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has questioned the "double standards" exhibited by authorities in dealing with offences by British band The 1975 in comparison with Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Hamzah during a political ceramah claimed that Sanusi, who is also the caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar, was arrested at the wee hours of the morning for a minor offence but the British band was not even detained when they violated Malaysian laws.
"I would just like to point out that my colleague Sanusi committed a minor offence and was arrested at 3am. But this band, I don't know if the police even arrested them.
"They (The 1975) violated our country's laws, but they were not even detained. This is the kind of government we have today, one that practices double standards," he said as quoted by FMT during a ceramah in Tanjong Karang last night.
Hamzah, was referring to an incident during the Good Vibes Festival 2023 (GVF 2023) when The 1975's lead vocalist Matty Healy criticised Malaysia's anti-LGBT (lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender) laws before proceeding to kiss his male band mate on stage.
Their performance was however cut short.
Hamzah, who is a former home minister, said a controversial group such as The 1975 would not have been allowed to perform in Malaysia if he was still holding his previous position.
"The government should not have allowed them to perform in Malaysia. We should not have approved the application (by the organisers) for them to perform here and then ban them only after such antics," he said.
Following the incident during the first night of GVF 2023 on Friday, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil ordered an immediate cancellation of the festival and said that the band had been blacklisted by Malaysia.
Police have received three reports so far on the disrespectful behaviour by the band.
Last Tuesday, Sanusi pleaded not guilty to two counts of uttering seditious remarks that could incite disloyalty towards the Rulers.
He was charged under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act which carries a maximum penalty of three years' jail and RM5,000 fine.
Sanusi, during a PN ceramah in Selayang, was reported to have belittled Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari's appointment by the Sultan of Selangor.