KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Jan 2009: The government has approved the Rihanna Concert, scheduled for 13 Feb at Stadium Putra in Bukit Jalil, despite the Federal Territory PAS Youth’s objection to it.
Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal said: “They (PAS Youth) can always protest, but the ministry has the final say.”
He said what was important was that the organiser had fulfilled all the conditions set by the ministry.
“Our main concern is whether the concert is in line with Malaysian culture, but as the entertainment industry is a very dynamic and creative industry, we must allow our people to have access to it,” he told reporters after launching the Chinese New Year celebration at the Central Market here today.
On 20 Jan, Federal Territory PAS Youth expressed its disappointment over the organising of the ‘Rihanna Live in Kuala Lumpur’ concert by a local company.
Meanwhile, he said the 2009 Chinese New Year National Open House at The Pavilion, Bukit Bintang on 7 Feb, would be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
He said the open house was expected to be attended by about 50,000 people.
On the 30-minute regional news broadcast by RTM from Feb 1, Shafie said it was a healthy development as it enabled the public to follow news from and developments in the states, especially Sabah and Sarawak.
On the proposed Race Relations Act, Shafie said the Cabinet felt that such an Act was not necessary as the prevailing racial unity in the country only needed to be strengthened. — Bernama
