The country is facing a gloomy economic outlook with the higher cost of living, a weak ringgit, and the prospect of job cuts.
To deal with this, the government has been urged to allow Malaysians to tap into their retirement fund. Another option is to allow Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members to use their contributions as collateral for bank loans.
But while times may be hard for some segments of the population, others cannot get enough of live international concerts.
One such act coming to Malaysia is Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Kenny G, who will perform at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting, on April 2.
Award-winning saxophonist Kenny G will return to Malaysia for a solo concert on April 2, 2023, at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting. Tickets are priced from RM188 to RM598, and can be purchased via https://t.co/ZEZD60WxtE or https://t.co/2MfUm6SJWn starting Jan 27, 2023. pic.twitter.com/1G9yWWuSPl
— Twentytwo13 (@Twentytwo13news) January 25, 2023
The year started with a bang in more ways than one for Taiwanese singer Jay Chou, whose concert at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil drew the ire of football fans.
Although Chou’s concert was pencilled in more than two years ago – it was postponed several times due to Covid-19 – football fans were unhappy as large structures for his concert had been erected at the stadium, limiting the number of seats available for the Malaysia-Thailand AFF Cup semifinal on Jan 7.
Chou had offered to cancel his concert, but after Malaysia lost the second leg to Thailand, his show on Jan 15 went ahead with 45,000 fans flocking to the National Stadium.
On Feb 11, Taiwanese group Mayday, who last performed in Malaysia six years ago, will play at a sold-out concert at the same venue. Even tickets for Blackpink’s concert at the same venue on March 4 have been snapped up.
Carmen Liew, chief operating officer of Star Planet, the company responsible for bringing in Chou, Mayday, and Kenny G, said she was overwhelmed by the response to the earlier two concerts.
“Tickets sold out fast for both concerts. I believe this is because Malaysians miss seeing their favourite artists in action due to Covid-19,” said Liew.
“After more than two years of restrictions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, people want to go out, have a good time, and relive their memories by watching their idols.”
She added that fans were keen to see their idols in the flesh, as they had not performed in Malaysia for many years. As a result, they did not mind paying top dollar for the tickets.
“Mayday last performed in Malaysia in 2017, and Kenny G, five years ago,” she said.
“Although tickets are not cheap, the fans understand the cost of bringing in such acts. Moreover, these transactions are in US dollars. The exchange rate is not favourable for the ringgit.”
Although the ringgit has risen slightly, it is nowhere near pre-pandemic levels.
“A few months ago, it was horrible, but luckily, the exchange rate is slightly better now,” she said.
Liew added that these concerts have a knock-on effect on the country’s economy, as hotels, transportation, food and beverage, and tourism, will also benefit.
“Their fans come from all over the world to watch the concerts. That helps our economy,” said Liew.
She added Star Planet is working on bringing in more acts to Malaysia.
“Many stars want to come to Malaysia. It is a matter of finding a date to add to their world tour,” she added.
Main image: Star Planet
