23-7-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Selangor Police Chief Datuk Hussein stated that the members of the British band The 1975, whose performance at the Good Vibes Music Festival was temporarily canceled due to a man-to-man kiss, have already left Malaysia, making it difficult for the police to take further action against them.
In response to inquiries from the English-language “Star,” he clarified that the band departed Malaysia on the morning of the 22nd (Saturday), leaving the police with limited options for addressing the situation. However, he emphasized that investigations will still be pursued, and the responsibility for the incident lies with the organizers of the Good Vibes festival.
Earlier reports highlighted how The 1975’s frontman, Matty Healy, showed no remorse for his public display of affection towards bassist Ross McDonald, which was deemed to violate Malaysian law and resulted in the concert’s cancellation. Prior to the on-stage kiss, Healy openly expressed his dissatisfaction with Malaysia’s LGBT laws, further fueling the controversy.
Witnessing Healy’s provocative actions, the music festival organizers promptly decided to remove the band from the lineup and announced the cancellation of the remaining two days of the event.
Following the incident, the police received three reports, leading them to initiate investigations under Sections 509 (insulting others), 504 (intentionally insulting and disrupting public peace) of the Penal Code, and Section 14 of the Petty Crimes Act.
