GEORGE TOWN: The government says the company behind a failed Mandopop concert in Penang was denied tax exemption on its revenue as it did not feature local acts or promote Malaysian culture.
He said organisers would be given a conditional letter for tax deduction purposes as long as the events are related to local culture.The concert in question, featuring famous acts from Taiwan, was called off on Sept 21 after the artistes claimed they had not received full payment, fuelling questions of impropriety.
The managers also claimed that a fake telegraphic transfer snapshot dated Sept 12 was sent to them by the lawyer of WGW Entertainment Sdn Bhd, hence their decision to withdraw from the concert. Gerakan later questioned the ministry’s denial that it had supported the event by letting the concert company use its logo and by offering it tax exemption.