Coldplay scalpers go overboard, Fahmi wants action

Scalpers pushing Coldplay concert tickets at exorbitant prices have made Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil hot under the collar.

"This is excessive. I will raise this matter with the domestic trade and cost of living minister," he tweeted yesterday.

Fahmi was responding to the alleged advertisement of a "Cat 1" ticket, originally priced at RM1,288, being resold for RM43,200.

Checks by Malaysiakini on online marketplaces Mudah and Carousell revealed that several users are attempting to resell tickets at many times the original value.

One Carousell user known as @sensualliew is reselling three RM1,288 tickets at a 250 percent markup.

Several Carousell users are also looking to either buy or swap tickets.

According to organisers GoLive Asia, Coldplay tickets were on a pre-sale for CIMB customers on Tuesday, attracting 400,000 buyers.

This overwhelmed the ticketing website, and many waited hours before being able to buy a ticket.

There were no limits on the number of tickets individuals could buy. There was also no system to ensure that the tickets were non-transferable.

Coldplay is a multi-platinum and multi-award-winning British band that will be visiting Malaysia in November as part of their Music of the Spheres World Tour.

MCMC crackdown

Meanwhile, Fahmi told reporters later that the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been instructed to take action against scalpers who advertise online.

"If detected, we will bring (scammers) to court and if the (ticket sales) are still on the platform, appropriate action will be taken," he said after attending the ‘Jom Baca Bersama 10 Minit’ programme.

He added that the matter will be brought to the cabinet and he also advised the public to only buy tickets from legitimate sources.

"The government takes this ‘ulat tiket’ (ticket touts) issue seriously and we have to curb and examine what laws and regulations can be used.

"I would like to remind everyone to buy tickets from a legitimate source to avoid being cheated. Make a police report so that action can be taken," he said.

PAS Ulama urges Puspal to block entry of pro-LGBT artistes

COMMENT | They are protesting yet another concert?

After PM's welcome message, PAS man pours cold water on Coldplay gig

'Welcome to KL' - Anwar tells Coldplay