Megadeth is in Malaysia for a performance this Thursday at Stadium Negara, and PAS Youth information chief, Hishamuddin Abdul Karim is not happy about it at all.
Things took an unexpected turn for PAS, when their zealous protesting led to the sharing of a concert poster, which they claim was not authorized. It shows newly-elected PAS Youth chief Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi, and an accompanying call to rally against the show. The art direction may have lead some to wonder if the Youth chief is somehow involved in the performance.
PAS is the conservative, religious party in the Malaysian parliament. They can be found frequently protesting outside of concerts such as Selena Gomez, and Avril Lavigne. They also petitioned to block Beyonce, who decided the hoopla wasn’t worth the hastle, cancelled her show here, and went straight to Singapore. One might say, it’s not really surprising that they took issue with Dave Mustaine, and co.
In a statement released today, Hishamuddin said, “We view this oversight very seriously and it is in violation of the guidelines on entertainment in the perspective of Islam published by Jakim (the Malaysian Islamic Development Department) and endorsed by the National Fatwa Committee at their 107th meeting in February 2015.” Megadeth, who won a Grammy this year for their latest album, has yet to respond to this accusation.
As of this afternoon, the show is set to go on. Until then, keep on rockin’ in the free world.
