KUCHING: Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has urged the organiser of the cancelled Air Supply concert here to pursue legal action, saying the issue should not be left unresolved.
The Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said a court process would provide clarity on who was responsible for the last-minute cancellation.
He explained that the concert was part of the band’s 50th anniversary tour and had been scheduled for September 24, but was abruptly called off despite full preparations.
“I do hope the organiser in Kuching will take action against whoever failed to honour the agreement, as Air Supply did not liaise directly with them and the organiser here is small.
“On the venue side, the preparation, the acoustics – everything was in place, just waiting for the concert to happen, and at the eleventh hour, at 3:00 am, it was cancelled. At 3:00 am! That was outright rude of the promoter,” he said.
He told reporters this after holding a press conference on the ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA) 2025 at Baitulmakmur 2 here today.
Abdul Karim said Air Supply had performed in Kuala Lumpur as part of the same tour but failed to proceed with the Kuching leg of the show.
He added that his officers had visited the venue one day before the concert and confirmed all preparations were complete for the performance.
He described the outcome as disappointing, stressing that fans who had travelled to Kuching were left frustrated by the cancellation.
“There are so many from Brunei, from Singapore, from Sabah, who were already in town because they bought the tickets and made it a holiday as well as a concert. Somebody has got to bear the brunt of it.
“These people are frustrated. Even though the Kuching organiser has said they will refund the tickets, the most they can do is return ticket money.
“But who is going to cover the flights? Of course it affects me, being the one who oversees tourism. I am very, very upset about it,” he added.
Abdul Karim stressed he did not want Sarawakians to be treated unfairly and expressed readiness to testify in court if needed.
“I don’t like Sarawakians to be treated that way. If Sarawak is going to be treated that way, we’ll go all out against that company.
“And then, honestly, I am even prepared to go to court to give evidence, because I cannot sue. To give evidence to show that everything was already in place in Sarawak,” he added.
Air Supply, in a statement on their official social media, confirmed the cancellation of the Kuching show scheduled for September 24, saying they were working to reschedule the concert.
