No links with FMFA organisers - Khairy

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Monday had denied talks that he had links with the organisers of the Future Music Festival Asia (FMFA).

He said such talks were untrue.

However, Khairy admitted that the organisers had visited him to inform of the concert and had requested to rent the Bukit Jalil stadium.

“I told the organisers that if they can obtain all the relevant permit approvals, they can apply directly to the Perbadanan Stadium Malaysia (PSM),” he said in a statement.

He said security aspects fall under the purview of the organisers once they are allowed to rent the stadium.

On the drug abuse incidents which took place during the concert, Khairy said he will talk to relevant ministries like the Communication and Multimedia, Tourism and Culture, Federal Territories and the Home Ministry to tighten the rules and criteria for permits and the organisation of future concerts.

“We will study all aspects of concert organisations so that in future we can avoid drugs and other vice activities,” he said.

“We cannot just dismiss this incident as it can happen again,” he added.

The Rembau member of Parliament had also urged the police to trace and arrest those who had sold drugs at the FMFA concert.

He also expressed his sadness over the deaths of the 12 suspected of drug overdose.

The 12 were identified as Kamal Zekry Kamal Basha, 22, Victor Wong E Hern, 26, Sabreena Kamaruddin, 21, M.Suresh, 28, Syazana Sohaime, 23, and Nor Faizza Mohd Wazir, 27.

FMFA 2014 is reputed to be Southeast Asia's biggest electronic dance music (EDM) festival featuring world number one DJ Armin Van Buuren and a host of other internationally acclaimed artists such as Grammy winners Pharell Williams, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and many others.