Adelaide metalcore favourites I Killed The Prom Queen are currently enjoying a stay in a “Malaysian immigration detention centre” after immigration authorities in the country found they did not have the appropriate permit to perform.
As News Corp reports, the five-piece was detained after performing in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night as part of their Beloved album tour of South East Asia. They were slated to perform in Indonesia on Sunday night.
Ruth Lock, mother of guitarist Jona Weinhofen, told The Advertiser she received a text from her son at about 4.30am on Sunday, saying he had been detained. But Ms Lock said she’s concerned that few other details are available.
“Jona said that they had been detained in an office, I presume in the immigration building, because the promoter had not obtained the necessary permits for them to play,” she told The Advertiser.
“They may have been moved to a detention centre today, but we aren’t sure. I’m worried now that they have taken their phones away from them because we haven’t heard anything for hours now and they all own smartphones.”
“It’s a worry on the back of what has happened in Paris and the fact they play a similar genre of music. I just want them safe at home. It sounds like there is a huge misunderstanding.”
Apparently we're going to be detained for 4 – 14 days in a Malaysian immigration detention center
— Jona Weinhofen Ⓥ (@jonaweinhofen) November 14, 2015
Weirdest part is some of the immigration officers asked us to autograph stuff & one is wearing a prom queen shirt. Still locking us up tho
— Jona Weinhofen Ⓥ (@jonaweinhofen) November 14, 2015
At least we have food and water and we are in good health. Things could definitely be worse and our situation pales to other recent events
— Jona Weinhofen Ⓥ (@jonaweinhofen) November 14, 2015
Ms Lock said she and other relatives of band members had been in contact with the Australian Consulate seeking help for the group. A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told News Corp the department was “continuing to provide consular assistance”.
Meanwhile, Weinhofen himself had previously updated fans via Twitter, telling them the band are going to be “detained for 4 – 14 days in a Malaysian immigration detention centre”.
“Weirdest part is some of the immigration officers asked us to autograph stuff [and] one is wearing a Prom Queen shirt. Still locking us up tho [sic],” Weinhofen wrote. “At least we have food and water and we are in good health.”
