Malaysians call on Psy to cancel concert

Feb 05

Web Only

Malaysians call on Psy to cancel concert

Netizens say upcoming show being used as political tool.

South Korean rapper Psy, performs on October 17, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)

Malaysian Facebook users recently launched a coordinated campaign to ask Korean pop star Psy, of "Gangnam Style" fame, to cancel a Chinese New Year performance in Penang province. The concert is organized by Malaysia's ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, and the party's chief youth strategist has admitted that it is seeking to attract young voters through the event.

Here's the letter most users are posting, which includes a Korean translation:

View the story "Malaysians call on Psy to cancel concert" on StorifyMalaysians call on Psy to cancel concertNetizens say upcoming show being used as political tool.Storified by The Stream· Tue, Feb 05 2013 10:55:29Dear our idol, PSY. We love your song and we love how Gangnam Style could rock the party. However, please do not come to Malaysia. We hope that you will not attend the celebration party held by the Barisan Nasional in Penang, Malaysia in the coming Chinese New Year.facebook.comIf you come to Malaysia, you will become the political tool and your performance will be politicized by Barisan Nasional. It is a political party which is seriously corrupted and always abuses the power to persecute Malaysians.facebook.comBarisan Nasional can spend millions of the people’s money to invite you to perform without a second thought but we, the citizens are the ones who will have to pay for it. The children in Sabah and Sarawak are struggling: walking miles of road to school and feeding on the leftovers as they could not afford to buy fresh vegetables every day. All the other citizens will never have enough money to live a better life; they’re forced to pay the tax which is spent arbitrarily.facebook.comOthers added individual messages:Dear PSY, I truly admire your song and I have even learnt your dance. But pls do not come to Malaysia on 11 Feb 2013, I guess you do not want to be paid by corrupted and dirty money from the party of Barisan National!Eugene TanHey PSY, your coming trip to Penang is a trip to support a bunch of hopeless politicians in Malaysia. Shame on you, bro.TF SoulGolferA few even countered with support for the show:Im a malaysian and I for one, wont boycott Psy. He is just doing his job as an artist.Cronos Williamdear idol, we really hope to see you in penang, all my family r really happy that our prime minister brought you here to celebrate chinese new year with us!!! We are looking forward to c you here !!! Thanks our PM !!!Eric Ng Kuan YapOne user called on her fellow Malaysians to stop posting on Psy's page and instead turn the concert into an opposition rally:Malaysians, stop it already. If he wants to come, let him. We'll just go and enjoy the celebration, free show and grab some free food. And not to forget, wear yellow. This is the perfect opportunity to turn this into an opposition event. Attend the festival, but we'll still vote for PKR. There's no need to tell PSY not to come to our country. That's embarrassing. PS: Our future relies on us only, not on a Korean superstar. You make your own choice. Now stop spamming, if you're not an idiot.Hijra D'nineThe Stream covered the recent "KL112" anti-government rally in Kuala Lumpur, which drew tens of thousands of protestors. Analysts expect this year's general election to be the most closely fought in the country's history.Malaysians ready for #KL112View the story "Malaysians ready for #KL112" on Storify] Anti-government activists and opposition parties to hold 'mass protest' on Satur...