US Singer Maggie Lindemann was detain­ed for one night by the Immigration Department and not the five days as reported by international media

‘Singer held for one night only’
Saturday, 6 Jul 2019

by justin zack
THE STAR





KUALA LUMPUR: Singer-song­wri­ter Maggie Lindemann was detain­ed for one night by the Immigration Department and not the five days as reported by international media, said the department.

Its director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the department took issue with her saying that she “spent the next five days confined in a living hell” on Twitter on Thursday after she was picked up in a raid at a restaurant in a shopping mall on June 21.


Two Malaysians and three Ame­ricans were detained in the raid at 9.30pm, he said.

“On June 22, their statements were recorded and the Malaysians were released at 4pm while the remaining (three) were released at 7pm, and the subject (Lindemann) was detained for less than 24 hours,” he said yesterday.



“We would like to state that the statements indicating her being detained for five days were inaccurate and untrue. The department constantly performs its duties in accordance with the law,” he said.

“We encourage foreigners to visit this country but stress that all must obey local laws and obtain the relevant passes to avoid any problems.”

The statement was echoed by venue host The Bee, which added that she was released in “less than 24 hours” after her arrest.

“We understand that the organi­sers of the show worked around the clock and did everything in their power to get her and her crew released and placed in a safe and comfortable environment pending their hearing date (recently), after which she returned home to the US,” it said in a statement yesterday.

The Bee also clarified that the incident stemmed from the visa permit agent who had misinformed organisers on the relevant appro­vals from the authorities and not the venue or the show’s organisers themselves.

“The agent was subsequently charged, found guilty for his negligence and had to pay a fine for his actions,” it said.

It was made to understand that the charged party was fined RM30,000.

It also promised that such an incident would not happen again.

“As a venue which believes in bringing the best entertainment into the country, we will be more diligent in vetting all documentation before we allow any show to go on,” it said.

Malaysia’s Arts Live Festivals

and Events Association (Alife) pre­sident Rizal Kamal said the issue should have been resolved in a more amicable manner.

“The artiste depends on the orga­niser to have relevant permits,” he said, adding that measures should be put in place to prevent such things from happening in future.

“Our image as a country that is business- and tourist-friendly has been affected again. When shows are cancelled and it involves the authorities, it severely affects our reputation.

“Organising an event is a daunting task and handling permits should be made friendlier to ensure that there are no cancellations or incidents such as this,” he said.

Alife represents concert organi­sers and other players in the local live event industry.

The Straits Times reported on June 24 that Lindemann cancelled what would have been her debut show in Singapore, citing “unforeseen circumstances”.

No further reasons were given for the cancellation at the time.


Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/07/06/singer-held-for-one-night-only/#1GXsADfxHtYBVbSo.99