Following the Thirst 2015 fiasco, the live events industry is urging the government to streamline and simplify the approval process for such events.

The industry group Arts, Live, International Festivals and Events Association (Alife) wants the permit approval process to be done in a two-step process at a one-stop centre, and the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) removed from the approval committee.

The first step would involve seeking approval for the act, while the second step would scrutinise the event management plan. There would be no cancellations once both steps are approved.

"(It is because) we have addressed every single part of the event. We have addressed the artist (and) the content.

"We have addressed how we plan to do the event, we have addressed what our security and medical plans are.

"We have addressed every single part of the event and each individual member of the board is meant to look at their (area of) responsibility only.

"Once it is approved, there can't be any cancellation because we have done everything right,” said Alife secretary Mohd Iqbal Ameer ( right ).

He was speaking at Alife’s press conference today, which was held in response to the last-minute cancellation of the ‘Thirst: We are all stardust’ international concert slated for April 25.

The authorities involved at the one-stop centre would be the Tourism and Culture Ministry, the police, the Royal Customs Department, the Immigration Department, the Internal Revenue Board, local councils, and a representative from Alife.

Months of run-around

They are also supposed to rate the content of the performance, such as whether it is suitable for all ages, audiences above 15 years old, or audiences above 18 years old.

Iqbal explained that currently, an organiser of an international concert would first need approval from the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artists (Puspal), and then the Immigration Department, the local police, the local council, the Internal Revenue Board, and the Customs Department (if alcohol is served).

This results in months of run-around for organisers between various authorities, as the event could fall apart if there are objections at any stage of the process, which could be raised at any time.

This is despite the fact that agencies such as the police, the Customs Department, and the Housing and Local Government Ministry are already members of the Puspal committee.

Also on the Puspal committee is Jakim. Asked after the press conference on why Jakim should not be a part of Alife’s proposed one-stop centre, Iqbal said it is because Jakim presently only offers its opinions but does not set conditions or laws, although its views are influential on other committee members.

“Jakim is meant to give their opinions and their views and they have said that it is up to the organiser to implement it or not. They have mentioned that a week or two ago […]

“We have to make it clear that they should not be in the second step process. They don’t need to be there anymore, because that is with regards to the execution of the event,” he said.

Thirst was meant to be held at Mines International Exhibition Centre, but was cancelled the day before after the Serdang police withdrew its support for the event over safety concerns and complaints from locals.

Despite holding all approvals

Founder and director of the concert organiser Benjamin Law told the press conference that this is despite previously holding all the necessary approvals, preparing a 100-member security team plus a medical team and ambulances, and even the cooperation from the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) to ensure the smooth running of the event.

He said some 5,000 people were expected to turn up at the event. The losses are estimated to be in the millions, but Law said the final figure has yet to be tallied as it is still tackling the refund process for ticket-buyers.

Meanwhile in a separate press release, Alife acting president Razlan Razali said Thrist’s cancellation is only the latests in a string of last-minute cancellations over the past two years.

This includes artists and groups such as Erykah Badu , Kesha, and Lamb of God , due to protests by various groups, he said.

"Last minute event cancellations in Malaysia has happened one too many times with no factual basis, transparency, lack of understanding of the industry by current decision makers, and proper engagement with the organisers […]

"As a result, our members have been left with a negative publice image, huge financial losses, and on a bigger perspective, the perception of the Malaysia brand internationally has suffered,” said Razlan, who is also the CEO of the Sepang International Circuit.