Malaysian Government Asked To Cancel Ed Sheeran Concert In Kuala Lumpur

Ed Sheeran (Instagram @marksurridge)

JAKARTA - Ed Sheeran's concert in Malaysia which will take place at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur on February 24 met opposition. The Se-Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS) urged the concert to be canceled.

Ahmad Yahaya as Chairman of the PAS Ulama Faction stated that Ed Sheeran's concert in his country was close to Ramadan which will fall on March 12. He also asked the Malaysian government to take action to cancel the concert.

"(The government must) take a firm stance by canceling the concert of the western artist when Muslims will welcome Ramadan," said Ahmad Yahaya, launching Channel News Asia, Saturday, February 3.

Yahaya based his argument by highlighting Ed Sheeran's suspicion of supporting the LGBT movement. He felt that what the British singer did was very contrary to the existing value of Malaysia.

"What is even sad is that the artists who are invited have a background to support the LGBT ideology which is rejected by Malaysia," he said.

This pressure is not the first time PAS has voiced. They repeatedly emphasized that pro-LGBT Western artists should not be allowed to appear in Malaysia.

In 2023, PAS also urged that Coldplay's concert in Kuala Lumpur be canceled. However, in reality the concert continues.

For information, Ed Sheeran is holding a world tour titled Ed Sheeran: +-=: x Tour. He is also scheduled to appear at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Central Jakarta on March 2.