Ticketing Technology In Malaysia Archaic Says Events Organiser

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Scalpers had been cashing in on the high demand for Coldplay tickets. (Instagram pic)PETALING JAYA: A major event and music festival organiser says industry players do not see the need to invest in better ticketing technology that can minimise the impact of scalping.
“Right now, a lot of the ticketing technology that is used in this part of the world is archaic,” Livescape Group CEO Iqbal Ameer told FMT.
“Ticketing companies don’t see a reason to upgrade their systems because there’s not enough volume (number of concerts).”
Malaysian Coldplay fans have taken to social media to vent their frustration over ticket scalping for the British group’s concert at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in November.
The cost of a ticket for the concert ranges from RM228 to RM3,088 but scalpers are reselling even the cheapest tickets for more than RM1,000. One ticket is reportedly being sold for RM43,000.
Communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil has instructed the authorities to take action over the online resale of the tickets.
Iqbal said there was little the authorities could do about scalping and that it happened everywhere and in other industries, including the purchase of luxury or limited edition goods.
He said the way forward was to leverage technology, including the use of blockchain technology or non-fungible tokens for ticketing.
“(But) there needs to be a huge influx of shows that would make it worthwhile (investing in the technology).”
Meanwhile, the Education and Research Association for Consumers has joined in the call for the introduction of a law to prevent ticket scalping, similar to the US’ Better Online Ticket Sales Act.
The law is aimed at preventing people from using bots to buy tickets in bulk. Offenders may be fined up to US$16,000.
The association’s secretary-general, Indrani Thuraisingham, said event organisers and ticketing platforms should be more responsible in selling tickets, including setting limits on the number of tickets a person could buy.
Malaysia Consumers Movement deputy president Beninder Singh said there was nothing wrong with people reselling tickets as it was based on a “willing buyer and willing seller arrangement”. - FMT

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