Malaysians to Psy: “Don’t Perform for Corrupt Ruling Party” · Global Voices
Jerrenn Lam

Global pop sensation Psy has been invited to perform at an event in Malaysia hosted by Prime Minister Najib Razak and the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, but instead of being welcomed, many fans have turned to his Facebook page pleading him not to attend and perform at the Chinese New Year event.
It has been reported that by inviting Psy, the government hopes to attract younger voters for elections that are due in the coming months.
But the move by the government has been seen negatively by many Malaysians, like Lukey:
I chuckled at the move, because not only one can see BN is running out of tactics, but also how the government still thinks that voters can be bought off with some last minute feel good effects such as a big concert featuring a Korean artist. It is also sad to note that rather than using that huge amount of money on more worthwhile matters such as raising the quality of public utilities, lowering the crime rate and increasing wage in general, the government is more interested in organizing concerts rather than tackling the real issues that is bothering the citizens daily. Sometimes, you really cannot say whether it's the Malaysians who are naive or the government itself is naive.
Chiew-Siah Tei agrees:
Psy. Photo by Eva Rinaldi, Wikimedia
To think that the presence of a pop star, with his popularity, would possibly steer the people’s favour towards the BN government, which is famously corrupt and inefficient, only reflects, once again, the immaturity of the ruling political leaders.  This is just another farcical episode to add to a series of money-wasting, immature and unwise decisions by the ruling party, which has reportedly reduced its budget allocation for education, an important sector in a developing country.
Lailakoh is concerned about rumours that the star is being paid RM 2 million for the performance:
Wooooo are we lucky or just need to think of this more?? Because ive heard that the organiser is paying him more than Rm2 million just to see he perform his world famous Oppa Gangnam Style dance.
Wait, personally I think with that such huge amount of money we could use it for better things. Dont you think so? plus where’s the 1Malaysia spirit? Instead of paying a KOREAN singer its better to invite OUR local singers to perform. That would be fair enough since we actually have a lot talented singers and musician.
Lim Kit Siang, a popular opposition leader, welcomed the event as a reason for Malaysians to get together:
I welcome reports that Najib’s CNY Open House featuring Psy and Gangnam Style at Han Chiang College is open to all with no restriction on anyone.
This is as it should be. We are all Malaysians first and last, and on national festive occasions like Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Deepavali, Vesak Day or Christmas, let us exude goodwill, peace, harmony and solidarity where we can fraternize freely without thought of political differences.
However, to make it more meaningful and worthwhile, while Malaysians enjoy the show and fun with Psy and Gangnam Style, let us not miss the occasion for a nation-wide soul-searching why South Korea is so far ahead of Malaysia in all fields of human endeavor when half-a-century ago, Malaysia was twice as rich as the “Gangnam Style” nation!
Some have reacted on Twitter as well:
@SyazwanShahrul Instead of spending RM 2Million on Psy, why don't you spend it to improve Malaysia's Education system, for the sake of Malaysia's future.
@syayyra “psy will come to malaysia to celebrate cny with our prime minister” oKaY. is our prime minister fanboy of psy?
@yixing0114 najib do u think you ask psy to come to malaysia during chinese new year and our parents will vote for you during election? #no
The Government has  insisted that the fee for Psy is to be paid by a private group.