Why Malaysia, are you still not ready for international music festivals?

When Livescape Asia officially announced the relocation of Future Music Festival Asia (FMFA) to Singapore, many music enthusiasts, professionals and music industry practitioners let out a collective sigh of disappointment.

Understandably, so. And this leads to the next BIG question: is Malaysia NOT ready for international events?

For the uninitiated, FMA is the biggest music festival in South East Asia, to date. Originated in Australia, the festival is a franchise of Australia’s Future Entertainment since 2006, offering world-class performance of singers, musicians and deejays to the people.

In 2012, FMFA was flown down to Malaysia and the concert was held in Sepang. The event was officiated by the former Tourism Minister, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

Since then, FMFA has contributed quite largely to the growth of the tourism industry and the country’s economy.

One of the government’s targets is to achieve 70,000 foreign spectators for international events being held in the country by 2020.

With FMFA, the figure is ideal and can be viewed an achievable target. Take FMFA2014 for instance. The music extravaganza has attracted a staggering 75,000 festivalgoers and out of this number, 30,000 were foreign spectators.

Realistically, FMFA could actually contribute positively and consistently each time a festival is held in Malaysia.

According to a report by PEMANDU on the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), an average of 35,000 punters would flock to FMFA’s location daily for a span of three days.

Sadly, this year’s FMFA which was slated to cover a span of three days, died of 'natural death' following the devastating news of six drug-related deaths involving six individuals on the second day of the festival. That was the day when A State of Trance 650 with Armin van Buuren’s was due to perform on March 14.

The Minister of Youths and Sports, Khairy Jamaluddin who is an ardent supporter for the country's arts, entertainment and youths development said that the ministry is linked to the organisers by providing them with a venue.

Khairy said that the ministry will study all aspects of concert organisations to ensure that future music festivals are free of drugs and other vice activities.

For Rooks A.M, a Malaysia-born Australia-based music producer/DJ said the relocation is not at all a surprise. Indeed, said the entrepreneur it is a good move by the organiser.

“Livescape Asia made a predictable move in terms of staying within familiar regions. Singapore is the most viable option to expand the business," he said.

"It will also be a great move as the range and quality of acts would be more diversed judging from the other events and festivals happening in Singapore. I would guess less people will get hurt (or die) because of the stringent security there," said Rooks.

For Jeeps M, Rook's other half who is also a music enthusiast is singing a different tune. Saddened by the news that the Malaysian festivalgoers would now have to cross the Causeway to catch the action, the mother of two also said that Malaysia is losing out on fun and music to Singapore, yet again.

“When FMFA was announced, it was a sign that Malaysia music scene was ready for bigger things – more acts, more exposure (to new acts), new genres from around the world, more hype, more fun. Malaysia is no longer just well-known for its multicultural experience, good food, cheap shopping and some really good islands.

"International companies were ready to spend in our country. They were already seeing our potential. We didn’t have to complaint anymore about why the good music tours just end up at Singapore and leaves for other countries, when we’re right next door, with so many music lovers like you and me.

"But of course, it has to happen, yet again … losing it to Singapore. And there they are presumably, laughing at us again for losing our game,” she added.

And we're talking about a host of renowned international and international celebrities who missed the opportunity to fire up the stage and entertain local music enthusiasts at the sold-out concert.

From the likes of the award-winning Malaysian pop queen Sheila Majid, Malaysia-born Los Angeles-based singer-composer Yuna, rapper-producer Pharell Williams, Macklemore and the list goes on ...

The reality remains that millions of ringgit was utterly wasted for the organiser, Livescape Asia.

“Indeed, this is a very delicate issue. I have children of the age of concert or festivalgoers. I feel for them, for the loss and yet it is tragic that the organiser had to take the blame after investing millions in bringing in international music to entertain our people”, said event producer and renowned Malaysian music personality, Jennifer Thompson.

Many expected that the fatal tragedy in Bukit Jalil was the main reason for the relocation and that fingers were pointed in the direction of Livescape Asia for the ban.

However, those expectations aren't exactly the hard facts.

“We are deeply saddened by the reported loss of lives and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those affected. And to state the case clear, FMFA was never banned because of this and Livescape Asia has formally announced (with the authority i.e. the police) that we are not at fault for what had happened”, said Iqbal Ameer, Group CEO of The Livescape Group.

As far as Livescape Asia is concerned, the relocation is the best thing to do and for the best interest of everyone.

Iqbal said the tragic deaths have little to do with the decision to move FMFA out of Malaysia.

Livescape Asia sees Singapore as the better fit to hold international events in comparison to Malaysia.

“After three years organising one of Asia’s biggest events in Malaysia, we realised that Singapore is a better place to be with world-class infrastructure and excellent support system. It is a very progressive country and we all know that Singapore is a country of rules and this is very good for event organisers like us - where rules, regulations and policies are clear cut."

"They (Singapore) have rules for everything. But, this is not so for Malaysia. The rules in Malaysia can be vague and current policies in Malaysia do not protect the event organisers. This is not so in Singapore. We are protected," said Iqbal, who is now in busy gearing up for the staging of the two-day FMFA2015 which will be held in the Republic starting March 14.

Livescape is not alone when it comes to frustrations over policies and guidelines set by the ministry. Many other event organisers agreed that Singapore is THE venue to stage concerts boasting international lineup.

“Singapore supports the arts heavenly. They don’t give event organisers a hard time, unlike here. The hardest part is that we have been through this through all ages - from the banning of long hair for male artistes to the no-go for showing of armpits during shows, no to this, no to that but nothing is clear.

"I've been in the industry for over 30 years and yet we are still indecisive with what we want ... whether we want to move forward or backwards”, said Jennifer.

But, really how hard is hard when it comes to in international artistes to Malaysia?

“When you go to PUSPAL (Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes) to apply for permit, aside from the ones you read on the guidelines, there are a lot of unwritten rules.

"There are more to what is allowed and what is not allowed following to the written guidelines. To an extent, there can be some double standards. For example, it is not 'ok' to bring Beyonce because she is too sexy but it is 'ok' for Mariah Carey,” said Jennifer.

For Iqbal and Livescape, it took a lot more effort and hard work to obtain the permit than organising the event itself.

The application process that is set by the ministries and the authorities is deemed to be difficult and archaic and that various levels of approvals are compulsory in order for an event to run.

“One needs to get all sorts of approval to get the license to bringing in international performers. There are the pre-approvals (stage) and separate approvals from all different divisions and departments.

"It is just too many things to be approved before achieving the real approval. That most of the organisers use their ‘insiders’ to get the job done,” Iqbal added.

Organisers are pressured to take big risks for the simple reason that: "If we want these items, the artistes’ managements will require us to first confirm the act and pay the artist fee in order to get that information.

"But without these, we won’t be able to even submit the application. Hence, promoters are left with no choice but to risk paying the act upfront first and pray hard that the approval will come through, if it comes through,” said Iqbal.

It is already a huge challenge getting the international performers to agree to play their act in Malaysia and even when the organisers pass all the policies and approvals, obtaining their permits, the uncertainties are endless; the risks are huge and continuous.

At the rate we are going, there seems to be grey area as far as staging a concert in Malaysia is concerned.

Events, festivals or concerts can still be cancelled at a drop of a hat -- and the utmost thing that is clear cut – compensation fees are absent and not paid to the organisers or promoters for shows cancellation.

“If PUSPAL decides half way that the act is somehow deemed ‘not suitable’ for whatever reason it may be, they can just pull the plug anytime – even after approvals are given,” Iqbal said.

One wonders if this is a vicious cycle and that many from the industry has little knowledge on the impact of cancelling an international music festival, for instance.

The repercussions are huge, nevertheless. Concert promoter bears the loss of huge sum of money on booking fees. Some even lost on marketing, paying the suppliers that leads up to company going 'kaput' and ultimately people losing their jobs.

For Jennifer, she has learnt a lot from working with international event managements.

She treasures the invaluable experience she gained from working with them and it frustrates her tremendously when the local authorities do not realise the damage done by continuing these policies.

“In the long run, it is Malaysia’s reputation is at stake. The world now knows that Malaysia is not fit to go up to the international and world level in the entertainment industry. In the long term, it will affect the economy, not just the industry. It affects the economy in a way that it disrupts the whole chain. We are talking about millions of ringgit and thousands of job opportunities going down the drain,” said Jennifer.

Astro Awani has tried to get PUSPAL’s feedback, however to no avail.

The festival has played a significant role when it was held in Malaysia, driving music tourists into the country by attracting over 30,000 foreign fans from across 85 countries and generating over RM120 million in tourist dollars.

Singaporeans, Indonesians, Thais, Australians and Europeans formed a majority of the festival’s tourists with the brand also having a significant following in the other parts of the world.

Looking at the bigger picture, can we expect FMFA to come home to Malaysia in the future? Can we move forward and lure more and bigger international events, world-class performers to come into our country?

And can we achieve that without jeopardising our socio-economy and integrity?

All said and done, all those can be achieved only if the mentality of all involved, not just event promoters and organiser but also ministries, policy makers and the mass, especially punters be matured and open, enough to see and comprehend the bigger picture.

“Here (Australia), firstly, punters are responsible, they enjoy music and arts responsibly. Hence, crowd control is manageable, there’s enforcement of responsible drinking act. Thirdly, festivals here don’t go past midnight. So maybe we can learn from something like this. But it all boils down to responsible, good quality punters” said Rooks AM.

“The harder it is to get shows in Malaysia but is it harder for people on the ground. People lose jobs. We need to open our minds and see that it is a matter of understanding and not to jump on things”, said Jennifer.

“We can’t be a reactive country, jumping on things too quickly. We have to be solution based, if we want to succeed and achieve in being at par with the international standards. The ministry needs to revamp PUSPAL and the board. Mentality needs to change” said Iqbal.