Malaysia’s authorities halted a music competition within the capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Saturday, a day after the frontman of the British pop rock band The 1975 kissed a male bandmate onstage and criticized the nation’s anti-L.G.B.T. legal guidelines.
“There will be no compromise against any party that challenges, disparages and violates Malaysian laws,” Fahmi Fadzil, the nation’s communications minister, said on Twitter after assembly the organizers of the Good Vibes Festival, a three-day occasion set to run till Sunday.
The 1975 have additionally been banned from performing in Malaysia, mentioned a authorities committee that oversees filming and performances by foreigners.
Homosexuality is against the law in Muslim-majority Malaysia. Rights teams have warned of rising intolerance towards lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and transgender individuals.
In movies posted on social media late on Friday, Matty Healy, the band’s frontman, was seen kissing the bassist, Ross MacDonald, after criticizing Malaysia’s stance towards homosexuality in a profanity-laden speech to the competition viewers.
“I made a mistake,” he mentioned. “When we were booking shows, I wasn’t looking into it.” He added that he didn’t perceive the aim “of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with.”
Mr. Healy later minimize quick the set, telling the gang: “All right, we’ve got to go. We just got banned from Kuala Lumpur, I’ll see you later.”
The band couldn’t instantly be reached for remark. Mr. Healy had confronted criticism for kissing a male fan at a 2019 live performance within the United Arab Emirates, which additionally has legal guidelines towards gay acts, in accordance with information media stories.
The competition’s organizer, Future Sound Asia, apologized for the present’s cancellation after Mr. Healy’s “controversial conduct and remarks.” It mentioned The 1975’s administration had promised that the band would obey efficiency tips.
“Regrettably, Healy did not honor these assurances,” it mentioned in a press release.
Mr. Fahmi, the communications minister, mentioned Malaysia was dedicated to supporting the event of artistic industries and freedom of expression.
“However, never touch on the sensitivities of the community, especially those that are against the traditions and values of the local culture,” he mentioned.
The authorities in March launched stricter tips, together with on gown code and conduct, for overseas acts coming to Malaysia, citing the necessity to defend sensitivities, the information media reported.
Friday’s episode ignited an uproar on Malaysian social media, together with amongst some members of the L.G.B.T. group, who accused Mr. Healy of “performative activism” and mentioned his motion was prone to expose the group to extra stigma and discrimination.
The 1975 are on Sunday scheduled to play at a competition in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, the place a current L.G.B.T. occasion was canceled amid safety threats.