KUALA LUMPUR – The organiser of a punk rock festival that was cancelled is blaming the venue operator which it said did not prepare the necessary documentation.
The seventh Chaos in Rumah Api (Cira) concert last night at Kem Isi Rimba (KIR) in Ampang, only lasted a while before it was shut down by a police raid.
In a statement, Rumah Api, a punk community organiser, said it had made the requisite payments for permits to KIR but the venue host did not make the application to hold the event.
Rumah Api also said this seemed to coincide with complaints from the venue’s nearby residents that the concert would allegedly incorporate satanic and black metal elements.
“Rumah Api already did our part in obtaining proper clearances and permits,” it said.
“However, due to some complaints from nearby residences which (were) concerned about the event (being) deemed a black metal (or a) satanic concert due to all patrons wearing black outfits, a report was lodged at Bukit Aman headquarters.
“The police (came) and conducted an investigation, and found out that the KIR owner did not have the proper permits – (although) we actually paid upfront.
“We were promised by KIR that every piece of documentation (would) be prepared by them. However, they failed to do so due to their own carelessness,” Rumah Api said.
It apologised to the bands that would have performed at what would have been the first-ever Cira held outdoors, and also apologised to concert patrons, thanking them for their support.
It added that it is currently working on rental and permit refunds from KIR, before proceeding with ticket refunds to customers.
The seventh Cira was scheduled to run yesterday and today (December 9 and 10).
According to Rumah Api’s website, it is a Kuala Lumpur-based “do-it-yourself” punk venue, which is run by the community itself.
Last night was not Rumah Api’s first brush with the law, after a police raid in June this year which prompted a fundraising effort through the sale of merchandise to cover its legal fees and operational costs, among other expenses.
In September, American hardcore punk band Sunami previously had the Malaysia leg of its Southeast Asia tour cancelled at the last minute due to unspecified issues with authorities. – December 10, 2023
