Four dead following Malaysian festival Pinkfish, police temporarily suspend new concert permits
Police are set to re-review approved concert permits, which could affect the wider music industry in Malaysia
Four individuals have died after attending Pinkfish Countdown, an event hosted at Sunway Lagoon in Selangor, Malaysia, on December 31, 2024.
Malaysian police said the victims, two men and two women aged 20 to 40, are suspected to have consumed ecstasy, pending toxicology reports. Of three other attendees who showed similar symptoms, two remain in intensive care, while one has been discharged.
Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan reported that the seven affected individuals attended the dance music festival separately with friends or family.
Police received seven reports from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre and Kuala Lumpur Hospital, and six witnesses gave statements. Authorities are investigating whether criminal elements, such as poisoning, were involved.
Four sudden death investigation papers have been opened and police are examining how the drugs were sold and consumed inside the venue, which had over 100 security personnel, including K9 units.
“We are still investigating how the drugs could be sold inside the venue, since it is a closed area,” Hussein stated, adding that pills were reportedly sold for MYR 50 (£9) each, or MYR 100 (£18) for three.
Following the incident, police announced a temporary halt to new concert permits and a review of existing ones, urging stricter safety measures by organisers.
Approved concert permits for event like Pinfish and others in the Malaysian state that involve music and large groups of people will be re-reviewed, the New Stratis Times reports.
“People want concerts, we cannot stop it just because of one or two incidents. But at the same time, we have to ensure that these shows are organised safely,” Hussein stated.
Pinkfish Management extended their condolences and pledged full cooperation with investigations. They emphasised their focus on safety, stating that comprehensive security measures, including first aid teams and auxiliary police, were in place.
“The safety and wellbeing of our attendees, staff, and surrounding community have always been our highest priority,” they stated in an Instagram post.
The incident has sparked a debate about concert safety and the impact of suspending permits on the music industry in Malaysia.
Speaking to Free Malaysia Today, Livescape Group CEO Iqbal Ameer urged authorities to prioritise safety without harming the industry.
“This is a deeply concerning development. If you are caught bringing drugs through the airport, do you stop all planes and shut the entire airport until further notice?” he said.
He continued: “What the police want to implement is not a balanced, effective solution which prioritises safety without compromising the livelihoods of thousands within our industry.”
Malaysian veteran DJ Victor Goh joined the call for balanced solutions that ensure both the safety and the growth of the music industry.
He also stressed the need for Malaysia to implement harm reduction strategies at concerts, urging better education to help concertgoers understand the risks of drug use: “Currently, there is nothing being done in Malaysia to educate teenagers on how to party safely and responsibly," he said.
Read the full statement from Pinkfish Countdown below.
[Via Channel News Asia & The Malaysian Reserve]
Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram