While some people are applauding his stance, the Malaysian LGBT community has criticized him for this act, fearing it may exacerbate their troubles.
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00:00 A British singer of 1975, Matt Haley, has found himself engulfed in controversy after
00:04 kissing his bandmate Ross McDonald on stage during their Malaysia concert on Friday in
00:09 support of LGBTQ rights.
00:12 In his speech, he criticized the country for its anti-LGBTQ laws.
00:18 While some are appreciating his stance, the Malaysian LGBT community has slammed him for
00:22 this act as it could potentially lead them into more trouble.
00:26 One user wrote, "They did more harm to queer people than by doing that.
00:31 And you are right.
00:32 Stop speaking on behalf of Puyo C. He's gonna return to his mansion in London, while
00:37 queer people in Malaysia are gonna deal with all the insults and homophobia once this reaches
00:42 the public."
00:46 Another user stated, "It's fair criticism, but its expression shamefully elides context.
00:52 It's day one of a three-day festival in a country fighting to keep its live music scene
00:56 alive.
00:57 Also, public acts like this when local queer communities aren't consulted, put people
01:03 in the spotlight at risk of violence."
01:06 The third user expressed, "How can it be iconic when, from here on out, the Malaysian
01:11 LGBT community's rights, voice, and freedom are compromised.
01:15 His drunken, iconic act didn't do it for us.
01:18 We ruined our decade-long fight to be accepted, and our government will now use us as scapegoats
01:23 thanks to this."
01:24 As per Malaysian law, homosexuality is illegal and it's punishable up to 20 years in jail.
01:30 Soon after Matt's act, his remaining shows were cancelled.
01:34 The 1975 was supposed to play in Indonesia and Taiwan next, but have since cancelled
01:40 those shows.
01:41 [music]