Better Coordination, More Openness Propel Malaysia As Concert Destination

By Nurhafizah Tan

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- In the past, concert organisers often faced uncertainty over approval timelines, resulting in some international shows being postponed or cancelled. Today, the situation is showing positive progress following improvements to the application process and inter-agency coordination.

Ahmad Mahathir Mohd Hilmi, principal assistant secretary of the Central Agency for Filming and Performances by Foreign Artistes (PUSPAL), under the Ministry of Communications, said Malaysia is now more flexible and open to welcoming international artistes as long as performances comply with the required ethics and guidelines.

“We are now more open as long as the artistes follow performance ethics and respect the culture and guidelines set,” he said in an interview with Bernama recently.

He said among the changes made to streamline the process is a more structured application system tailored to the type of performance, such as concert, music festival and circus.

He added that several subcategories require pre-applications for background checks on the artistes before the full application for an event is presented at the PUSPAL Committee meeting for approval.

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“PUSPAL has set a 14-day approval timeline for full applications, from the day the application is received to the decision made at the (PUSPAL committee) meeting.

“The timeline is still the same, but the process is now more consistent and systematic compared to before, when management issues sometimes caused applications to be left pending for too long,” he said.

For the promotion and singing/music subcategories, applications may be approved within seven days if they meet specific criteria, such as small-scale performances with not more than 10 artistes, and performers having a “clean” background. 

Ahmad Mahathir said these changes have had a positive impact on the local entertainment industry, given that PUSPAL receives about 40 applications each week across various categories, reflecting the rapid growth of the international entertainment scene in Malaysia.

According to PUSPAL data, a total of 1,383 applications for foreign artiste performances have been submitted so far this year, and only 22 were rejected, most of which were due to organisers withdrawing their applications because of low ticket sales or scheduling changes.

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Ahmad Mahathir added that beyond making things easier for organisers, the improved process also creates opportunities for local crew and service providers, as PUSPAL encourages the hiring of local teams, particularly for technical work such as lighting and sound.

He believes these developments are positioning Malaysia as a more professional, efficient and inclusive entertainment destination, allowing organisers to plan concerts with greater confidence, international artistes to perform according to schedule, and the public to enjoy quality entertainment without bureaucratic delays.

Meanwhile, Putra Business School economic analyst Prof Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff sees these improvements as catalysts for a more organised and high-impact entertainment industry.

He said enhancements to PUSPAL’s approval process help boost confidence among organisers and investors to bring in international artistes, while also stimulating economic activity through spending on event organisation, tourists who travel specifically for concerts, and the spillover effects to supporting sectors such as transport, hospitality and retail.

However, he noted that a balance must be maintained between openness and sensitivity to local culture, where organisers should ensure that all performances comply with the guidelines set by the government.

“Organisers must also ensure that social interactions do not become excessively liberal,” he added.

-- BERNAMA