A discussion has erupted online after a festivalgoer criticised Malaysian Mandarin singer-songwriter Firdhaus for speaking entirely in Mandarin and performing only Mandarin songs during his appearance at the Asia Top Music Festival 2026.
The two-day music festival, held at Sepang International Circuit from May 30 to 31, featured performers from Malaysia, China, Thailand and South Korea and drew thousands of music fans.
Following the event, a Malay female netizen shared her disappointment on Threads, questioning why Firdhaus, who is Malay, interacted with the audience solely in Mandarin throughout his set.
In her post, she said she understood that the singer was known for producing and performing Mandarin songs, but felt he could have included at least some interaction or songs in Malay or English for the wider audience.
She also pointed out that many concertgoers wearing headscarves were present in the crowd and said she hoped all attendees would be able to connect with every performer on stage.
The post quickly gained attention online, prompting Firdhaus to personally respond in the comments section.
“Alamak, sorry. I understand. Next time I’ll speak Malay. I’m already used to speaking Mandarin during performances, but I’ll mix it up next time,” he wrote.
The original poster thanked the singer for his response, saying she hoped future performances would include Malay or English so more people could support and appreciate his music.
The exchange sparked mixed reactions among netizens, with many coming to Firdhaus’ defence while others agreed that performers at multi-cultural events in Malaysia should consider using languages understood by a broader audience.
Some users noted that Mandarin-speaking listeners make up a large portion of Firdhaus’ fanbase and saw no issue with his choice of language, while others argued that using Malay or English alongside Mandarin would help create a more inclusive experience at large public festivals.
Several Malay fans also voiced their support for the singer, saying they enjoyed his performance despite not fully understanding the lyrics, while others praised his ability to bridge cultural and linguistic boundaries through music.
The debate has since generated widespread discussion on social media about language, identity and audience engagement at multicultural entertainment events in Malaysia.
