Lay off Elton John, DAP tells PAS | Free Malaysia Today

Lay off Elton John, DAP tells PAS

Alyaa Azhar and G Vinod | November 28, 2012

DAP Youth chief Anthony Loke says that PAS Youth's argument that the concert would promote social ills is both simplistic and unacceptable.

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP today urged PAS Youth to cancel its protest against Elton John’s concert, which is scheduled for this Saturday in Genting Highlands.
In a statement, DAP Youth chief Anthony Loke said that his party supports the concert and it should proceed as planned.
“We see no reason why the authority should withdraw the permit for the concert. PAS Youth should change its approach in addressing social problems,” said Loke who is also Rasah MP.
Elton John, a homosexual, is currently married to his partner after the United Kingdom allowed same sex marriages in recent years.
Yesterday, PAS Youth chief Nasruddin Hassan Tantawi said that the movement would continue to protest against the legendary singer from performing in Malaysia.
“We will use the approach of submitting a memorandum to protest against the concert.
“This is one of the measures we intend to take to check social ills in Malaysia,” Nasruddin was reported saying.
Loke said that he disagreed with Nasruddin’s notion that Elton John’s concert would promote homosexuality and other social ills, saying the argument is both simplistic and unacceptable.
“People go to his concert to enjoy his music, not to support and be influenced by his sexual orientation. Banning a concert is not the solution to tackle our social ills.
“PAS Youth should focus on education and awareness campaign instead of imposing their views and values on young people, “ he said.
Loke added that PAS Youth’s move against the singer would only give more ammunition to Barisan Nasional (BN) to paint the Islamist party a regressive organisation.
“This will not help Pakatan Rakyat to convince Malaysians that we are a progressive and moderate coalitio, that is ready to replace BN as the federal government,” said Loke.
‘We like his music’

PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali concured with Loke’s assessment, saying that people crowd Elton John’s concerts only because they love his music.
“We accept Elton John because we like his music, not because of his personal life, religion or whatever,” said the Gombak MP.
However, Azmin said that he was confident that PAS Youth would be able to provide an explanation on the matter.
“And we will be able to resolve this matter,” he said.
Meanwhile, PAS vice president Salahuddin Ayub was coy on the matter, saying that there was no rule that bars non-Muslims from attending the concert.
“As for Muslims, just give it a thought first before choosing to go,” said the Kubang Kerian MP.