DAP Youth has urged authorities to respect artistic expression and refrain from treating entertainment performances as religious threats, following the Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) probe into a foreign artist’s recent concerts in Kuala Lumpur.

The investigation follows Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd’s performances at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Nov 4 and 5, which drew criticism over elements allegedly contradicting Islamic beliefs.

These include the display of a 12-metre golden statue, a recurring centrepiece of his concerts worldwide.

PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar had purported the performances were inspired by a fictional civilisation whose followers worshipped machines as gods, Free Malaysia Today reported.