Netizens condemn Bunkface for anti-LGBTQ lyrics
27 Feb – Maybe it's just a gimmick for more views, maybe it's their honest opinion. Either way, Malaysian band Bunkface has ruffled some feathers with their latest release, "Akhir Zaman".
While the posts flooding social media were initially full of praises for the band for "bringing punk rock back" while "bravely voicing out" the issues their home country is facing at the moment, closer inspection reveals that the lyrics to their new song are not so praise-worthy after all.
One particular line draws the most ire, it goes: "LGBT, boleh pergi mampus".
Translated from Malay to English, the lyrics basically says that the LGBTQ community "can go die".
This, of course, doesn't bode well with listeners who do not condone condemning anyone to death just for their sexual orientation.
.@bunkfaceband it is NOT punk to target LGBT people. Ridicule and invisibility will cost lives.
You are not punk. You're no better than any nazi fascist band, please rebrand.
LGBT people are not your ping pong balls to score points with Malaysians- Michelle Yesudas (@chelle_yesudas) February 26, 2020
Dear Bunkface
From your fan#AkhirZaman pic.twitter.com/zWLMNqagdz- uɐƃuɐʎɐʞ ɐɹɐz (@ZaraKayangan_) February 26, 2020
The confused me listening to #AkhirZaman by Bunkface from citing Religion, Politics and suddenly *Insert LGBT* with repetitive lyrics whilst reading to mix opinions from the Rakyat regarding on Tun M as PM and Menteri Statements. pic.twitter.com/PpIuB2IQRA
- Fiona (@fionamaufaith) February 27, 2020
Netizens are also calling for the mass reporting on YouTube, so that the music video for the song will be taken down from the streaming platform.
This song promotes homophobia & violence against LGBTQ people. Please report the video on youtube:
1. Click: http://t.co/VquO0LHQfH
2. Open settings
3. Select "Hateful or abusive content" > "Promotes hatred or violence"
4. Timestamp 1:06, add comment, "hateful lyric"
5. Submit http://t.co/jSIu4W55j5- Numan Afifi (@NumanAfifi) February 26, 2020
"Don't give them the views. Search "bunkface akhir zaman", it's the top result. Click the three dots at the top right of the video to report," said one netizen.
Bunkface has yet to respond to the controversy.
