Indonesian rock band Radja said they were confined in a room and that two men made threats against their lives following a concert in Johor Bahru on Saturday.
Frontman Ian Kansela said the band had just wrapped up their show at the Larkin Arena Indoor Stadium on Saturday evening when they were ushered backstage for photographs with diplomats and government officials, including a minister.
Ian said they waited in one room but the officials never came, while fans who wanted to take photos with the band were beginning to leave. Suddenly, 15 people approached the band, including two men who accosted the musicians.
“We had no idea what was going on but we tried to understand. At first, we thought it was a prank because the concert was a success,” Ian said.
“And then they became aggressive, kicking the table, shoving us and hurling hurtful words while threatening to kill us.
“We didn’t understand what the problem was. They said that we didn’t respect the people who invited us. They said we refused to greet fans and take photos with them.”
Local police arrested two men, aged 37 and 48, for criminal intimidation on Sunday. The Star reported that police have completed their probe into the incident and have forwarded their investigation papers to prosecutors.
In Jakarta, Radja went to the National Police HQ today to ask for police protection. The band says they are living in fear and are worried that their assailants in Malaysia may send somebody to hurt them and their families in Indonesia.
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