kuala lumpur organizers pop concert big events increasingly wary include malaysia itineraries cancellation beer festival due take place next month highlight grow intolerance toward activities regard insult islam muslim group promoters say international music star especially know risqu lyric reveal clothe unlikely bring malaysia part regional global tour go gather could way deem un-islamic concern build time majority sunni muslim nation organizers say atmosphere become particularly difficult past year politicization islam increase prime minister najib razak rule party seek appease more-fundamentalist elements secure large rural malay vote bank ahead election expect come months unite nations cultural right expert warn report last week grow pressure adopt narrow interpretation islamic religion identity malaysia exclude country cross-cultural history marginalize religious minorities fail take account diversity malay muslims course affect overall attractiveness malaysia venue artists events festivals hold artists tour southeast asia malaysia first choice act tour say darren choy chairman record industry association malaysia also head malaysian unit american entertainment record label group warner music may end last consider add malaysian government respond request comment story popular good beer festival 2017 hold past five years unexpectedly call last week kuala lumpur city council ban october 6-7 event ban follow protest pan-malaysian islamic party pas say event would turn capital large vice center asia beer festival organizers say authorities call due political sensitivity surround event police say late cancel threat militant attack pas say thursday also file objection plan host next month annual oktoberfest beer festival petaling jaya area capital party say statement social responsibility oppose alcohol festivals also last week rumor gay party plan kuala lumpur government issue ban notice order immigration officer deny entry anyone plan attend either good beer festival gay party organizers say ever intend hold party thailand malaysia enforcement authorities last month launch probe kuala lumpur chapter atheists republic canada-based organization minister najib cabinet say late muslim apostates hunt vehemently malaysia already make international headline year bar screen 2017 edition disney beauty beast due gay moment one scene film eventually release local distributors ask censor board review decision shortly catchy summer dance song despacito take state radio television station complaints lyric obscene years get difficult international pop star wish make appearances malaysia 2013 concert set perform musical artist kesha ban past artists beyonce cancel performances malaysia due restrictions costume dance concert american pop star selena gomez allow july 2016 assurances would cover fear trouble concert pas youth leaders protest outside venue keep many fan away thousands ticket leave unsold big western act far year though british singer ed sheeran expect perform kuala lumpur november weekend formula malaysian grand prix include major international pop star usually case recent years organizers deny due recent controversies careful type act book make sure comply rule even guarantee approve authorities say qisthina razin representative malaysian events organization freeform rizal kamal vice president arts live festivals arts association alife body represent event organizers say malaysian show producers start move malaysian producers go singapore indonesia due problems malaysia say choy say ban dent perception malaysia moderate tolerant islamic country impact religious fundamentalism malaysia image outside world also gnaw away country multicultural pluralistic fabric 40 percent malaysia population non-muslim include christians buddhists hindus najib approach risk empower legitimize conservative party organizations classify extreme fringe group religious organizations also increasingly strong position influence government policies unite nations special rapporteur karima bennoune report last week express deep concern level involvement religious authorities policy decisions say malaysians express concern grow islamisation represent significant break past bennoune express particular concern ban regard traditional malay arts restrictions women perform public northeastern state kelantan govern pas prime minister najib project global image moderate muslim leader widely promote key player fight islamic extremism meet u.s. president donald trump last month najib say malaysia partner america fight islamic state key player promote moderate islam largely silent series recent religion-related incidents malaysia though comment week owner laundromat southern malaysia apologize bar non-muslim users ban go viral social media trigger condemnations community leaders include sultan johor government remain commit uphold true islamic teach protect interest communities demand islam najib say statement late wednesday state news agency bernama report cynthia gabriel executive director kuala lumpur base welfare group c4 say urgent need accept multi-culturalism bad society bad business two set laws policies operate one country say promoters pop concert events may ditch malaysia hard-line islam get grip