Matty Healy in Malaysia

Ministry of Communications and Digital issues an “immediate cancellation directive” on remainder of Kuala Lumpur’s Good Vibes fest after the 1975 singer slams country’s anti-LGBTQ laws.

Following Matty Healy’s “controversial conduct and remarks” while performing with his band The 1975, a Malaysian festival has announced that the event has been canceled.

Healy, 34, gave a statement on homosexuality, which is outlawed in Malaysia, and kissed bassist Ross MacDonald at the Good Vibes Festival on Friday.

The event issued a statement on Saturday, saying, “We deeply regret to announce that the remaining schedule for Good Vibes Festival (GVF2023), planned for today and tomorrow, has been cancelled following the controversial conduct and remarks made by UK artist Matt Healy from the band The 1975.”

The decision was a “immediate cancellation directive” from Malaysia’s Ministry of Communications and Digital, according to the statement.

“The ministry has emphasized its unwavering stance against any parties that challenge, mock, or violate Malaysian laws,” organizers added.

“We sincerely apologise to all of our ticket holders, vendors, sponsors, and partners.”

Healy stated on social media that he was “pulling out” of the event because he did not “see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with.”

He did, however, say that he opted to attend the event because he did not want to disappoint his followers.

Healy also stated, “Unfortunately, you don’t get a set of loads of uplifting songs because I’m f***ing furious, and that’s not fair on you, because you’re not a representative of your government because you’re young people, and I’m sure a lot of you are gay, progressive, and cool.

“He then walked off stage, only to return later and declare, “Alright, we just got banned from Kuala Lumpur, see you later.

“Other bands scheduled to perform throughout the weekend were Australian singer-songwriter The Kid Laroi and American rock band The Strokes.

The Kid Laroi expressed his “sorry” in an Instagram story after learning of the cancellation after his aircraft landed in Malaysia.

Malaysia’s communications minister, Fahmi Fadzil, also criticized Healy’s remarks and said that he had contacted festival organizers about the event.

In a statement, the Ministry of Communications and Digital Media stated that The 1975 had been banned by a committee that monitors international musicians performing in Malaysia.

Healy was named ally of the year at the 2019 Diva Awards for his support of the LGBT+ community in 2019.

Previously released video shows the frontman kissing a male crowd safety worker mid-performance while singing in Denmark and a male fan in Dubai.

In 2019, he tweeted, “Thank you Dubai, you were so amazing.” I don’t think we’ll be permitted back because of my ‘behavior,’ but know that I love you and will do the same thing again if given the chance.”

The 1975 has been reached out to for comment.