# KL wants to steal Singapore's concert crown

> Hannah Yeoh says Malaysia should compete with Singapore for major international acts instead of losing fans across the border.
- Title: KL wants to steal Singapore's concert crown · Malay Mail
- Summary: Hannah Yeoh says Malaysia should compete with Singapore for major international acts instead of losing fans across the border. Malaysia is cutting red tape…
- Keywords: hannah yeoh, kuala lumpur, singapore, concerts, malaysia, federal territories, live entertainment, tourism, dbkl, cemi scheme, southeast asia, news
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/16/hannah-yeoh-wants-kl-to-compete-with-singapore-as-regional-concert-hub/235378
- Published: 2026-09-16T09:57:48+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: hannah yeoh, kuala lumpur, singapore, concerts, malaysia, federal territories, live entertainment, tourism, dbkl, cemi scheme, southeast asia, news
## KL wants to rival Singapore
Hannah Yeoh says Kuala Lumpur should compete with Singapore for major concerts instead of watching Malaysian fans travel south to see their favorite acts.

> Why should my people in Kuala Lumpur go to Singapore to watch concerts and not here?
## Security deposits slashed in half
Kuala Lumpur City Hall cut security deposits for foreign performers from RM30,000 to RM15,000 in May. Local performance deposits dropped from RM10,000 to RM4,000.
## New incentive scheme offers rebates
The Concert and Event in Malaysia Incentives scheme gives qualifying international productions a 30% rebate on local spending, capped at RM1.5 million.
## Concert numbers jumped dramatically
Malaysia hosted over 450 concerts nationwide in 2025, up from just 104 in 2022. The shows generated nearly RM1.72 billion.
## KL Headline Season targets 500,000 fans
The 2026 season brings 25 major international performances to six venues. The Weeknd and BTS shows in November and December have already sold out.
## Concerts driving regional tourism
Over 5,000 ticket buyers from Thailand and Indonesia are expected to travel to Malaysia for Limp Bizkit's December concert in Kuala Lumpur.
## Singapore still leads the region
Industry players say Singapore remains the major regional concert destination with established infrastructure. Malaysia's opportunity is strengthening the Southeast Asian touring circuit.
## Key takeaway

Malaysia is cutting red tape and offering incentives to make Kuala Lumpur a regional concert destination that keeps fans home.