Selangor: The Selangor police have recommended the installation of ‘No To Drugs’ signboards or placards at the entry points of concert venues as a prerequisite for obtaining permits to organize concerts in the state.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan stated that this proposal was made to the state government and the Housing and Local Government Ministry earlier this month as part of efforts to combat drug use at entertainment events. The proposal aims to enhance the current requirements for concert organizers, who previously only needed to include such reminders on concert tickets.

“This will indirectly help curb the use of drugs at concerts. The suggestion will be placed in the permit conditions for organizing entertainment events issued by local authorities,” Datuk Hussein said during a media conference.

The suggestion comes in light of recent incidents, including the suspected drug-related deaths of four individuals at a Pinkfish concert in Bandar Sunway late last year. Three of these deaths were later confirmed to be linked to drug stimulants. In response, the Selangor police have also advocated for new guidelines for concert organization, addressing issues such as venue capacity, security measures, drug sales, and ventilation.

Additionally, Datuk Hussein mentioned that the police had informed the Youth and Sports Minister about the findings from the Pinkfish concert incident, along with proposed measures to enhance safety at future events. He emphasized the police’s commitment to improving intelligence gathering before and during concerts to prevent drug use and related fatalities.