GVF23: Puspal Shares Blame, Says Lawyers ForLiberty

[ad_1]

Subscribe to our FREENewsletterorTelegram channel for the latest stories and updates.

Human rights and law reform in Malaysia, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) recently spoke out on the cancellation of the Good Vibes Festival 2023.

In a statement yesterday, Lawyers For Liberty director Zaid Malek said the decision to cancel GVF entirely was arbitrary and an overreaction. The decision had big consequences for local artists and the GVF team who depend on the festival for their livelihood.

(Credit: Farahin Fadzil/TRP)

It is reported that small businesses will suffer losses of over RM50,000 as a result of the cancellation. They are Malaysians who work hard and try to earn a living.

After hastily canceling the event, will the government compensate these innocent people?

Zaid Malek, Director of Lawyers for Freedom

Although they agree that the 1975 stunt was indeed insolent and unacceptable, he said the decision to ban them from Malaysia should have been enough. He also mentioned that the organizers cannot be entirely blamed for having a spontaneous accident that happened on stage. In fact, they took immediate action after the incident by instantly blacklisting the group.

In addition to this, he also claimed that if they wanted to point fingers, they should also put the blame on Puspal, an agency under the Ministry of Communications and Digital of which Fahmi Fadzil is the minister, which was responsible for approving international acts. It is unfair to blame only Future Sound Asia (the organizer) who have worked hard to bring this well-known annual event to Malaysia.

(Credit: Farahin Fadzil/TRP)

Furthermore, he also questioned whether this decision was influenced by the upcoming national elections, in a bid to win the votes of the conservative community.

This raises the question of whether the government’s rush to ban the whole event is linked to the upcoming national elections, in the hope of garnering votes from conservative voters.

Zaid Malek, Director of Lawyers for Freedom

He also said the government should ensure that this incident is not used as a ticket for any party to condemn and use violence against the LGBTQ community in Malaysia.

Previously, LFL has spoken out on many issues regarding LGBTQ rights, the issue of statelessness in Malaysia, the defense of Rohingyas and many more. They also helped Siti Nuramira and her partner raise funds for their RM40,000 bond after being taken into custody for allegedly insulting Islam.

READ MORE: Standup Stripper and her boyfriend successfully fund their RM40,000 bail, and public outrage ensues

Fahmi Fadzil said it was a ‘lose-lose’ decision for him

As reported by The Star earlier today, Fahmi explained the reasons behind her decision. In a speech at an event at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) yesterday (July 23), he said it was impossible for him to please everyone.

When I chose to cancel the event, I got criticized. If I do not choose to cancel the event, I will also be criticized.

Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications and Digital

He said he was in a “lose-lose” situation and knows that whatever decision he makes will eventually lead to him being criticized anyway.

He hoped the public would understand why he had to make the decision to cancel the entire festival.

For illustrative purposes. Image: TRP file.

As long as I and other members of the unity government continue to work transparently and tell the truth about the reasoning behind our actions, I think the people will understand.

I know that the people of Selangor and the country as a whole are more than mature enough to understand what happened and why I did what I did.

Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications and Digital

Further, regarding the issue of financial loss to the sellers, he also said that an investment arm of the government, MyCreatuve Ventures, has been tasked with dealing with the affected sellers.

They will advertise what kind of support they can offer local vendors and artists.

READ MORE: MyCreative Ventures to Provide Assistance to GVF2023 Music Vendors and Artists Matty Healy Unremorseful

READ MORE: Lawyers offer pro bono services to artists and sellers to pursue 1975 cancellation on GVF2023

Share your thoughts with us via TRPsFacebook, Twitter, Instagram or Threads.

[ad_2]