KUALA LUMPUR: Concert organisers have been requested to have a kill switch, to immediately cut off the power supply if there are indecent acts during performances, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said the move was in response to the inappropriate behaviour of British band The 1975 during a music festival held in July.
"We have asked the organisers to have a kill-switch so that if any unwanted indecent incidents occur, we can immediately cut off the electricity so that the performance cannot continue," she said in response to a supplementary question from Zulkifli Ismail (PN-Jasin).
Zulkifli asked whether the government is improving the screening process and blacklisting of foreign artists with records of indecent actions.
Teo said the move was one of the government's measures to ensure that performances by foreign artists in the country adhere to local cultural norms.
She said the police were also involved in conducting background checks to ensure that foreign artists do not promote negative elements in the country.
"The Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal) will also have their representatives at concerts to monitor the performances."
During the incident, The 1975 performance was stopped midway. Their show was called to a halt just after the band performed their fifth song, after frontman, Matt Healy uttered profanities that insulted the government.
Healy was seen performing while holding a bottle of wine, lighting a cigarette and then spitting on stage during their set.
He also gave a brief speech that included profanities directed to the government.
He kissed his male guitarist after making the speech, and continued performing the last two songs of the night.