‘Not what good neighbours do’: Feud between ASEAN leaders over T-Swift could create bad blood at summit

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may be met with some bad blood this week when he hosts ASEAN leaders in Melbourne, following a diplomatic fight over the pop superstar’s Eras Tour.

A feud between southeast Asian leaders over pop sensation Taylor Swift could bring bad blood to a special three-day summit hosted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this week.

From Monday, Melbourne will welcome leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to celebrate the 50th anniversary since Australia became ASEAN’s first Dialogue Partner.

But the peaceful meeting Mr Albanese had hoped for could see castles crumble, as it will be one of the first times the southeast Asian leaders unite following a bitter stoush over US singer Taylor Swift.

The pop icon took to the stage in Singapore on Saturday and Sunday to perform two of six shows at National Stadium – which holds 55,000 people – following her sold-out Australian leg of The Eras Tour.

Several Asian leaders are seeing red after Singapore became the only southeast Asian country to host pop star Taylor Swift for her Era’s Tour. Picture: Ashok Kumar

More shows in Singapore will follow on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, before Swift jets off to Paris – making no other stops in any other East Asian country.

The decision to skip neighbouring Asian nations left leaders seeing red, particularly as rumours emerged Singapore spent big bucks to secure an exclusivity deal.

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was one leader who publicly spoke out about the Singaporean government allegedly offering subsidies to exclusively host the singer in its country.

He said a concert promoter informed him the government was paying up to $4.5m per show.

“(They) didn’t tell me the exact figure but they said the Singapore government offers subsidies of between $US2m and $US3m,” he said at a business forum in Bangkok.

“The Singaporean government is clever. They told (show organisers) not to hold any other shows in (southeast) Asia.”

Fans from neighbouring countries were forced to fly to Singapore to see Taylor Swift. Picture: AFP

However, Singapore’s culture, community and youth minister Edwin Tong said in an interview with Channel NewsAsia a grant given by the tourism board to support the concert was “nowhere near as high as what (was) being speculated”.

Philippines politician Joey Salceda, also criticised the Singapore government and said an exclusivity deal was “not what good neighbours do”.

“Our countries are good friends. That’s why actions like that hurt,” he told international media in a statement.

Meanwhile former Malaysian president Rais Yatim described Singapore’s alleged exclusivity deal as “close-door treatment” to its “ASEAN friends”.

Swift is playing six shows at Singapore’s National Stadium, which holds 55,000 people. Picture: Getty

“Singapore does monopoly (through) Taylor Swift show and rake (sic) in big money shutting out similar chance for her neighbours,” he posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.

“ASEAN friends just given close-door treatment … whatever happens (sic) to ASEAN five pillar community?”

Malaysian bank Maybank, which services Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, predicts Swift will generate just under $400m for Singapore, however this prediction is based on 70 per cent of fans flying in from neighbouring and international countries.

Hoping to shake off the stoush back home in Australia, Mr Albanese said the ASEAN-Australia special summit will commemorate the shared history of the nations and will focus on how the leaders can deepen their ties in the future.

“Australia sees ASEAN at the centre of a stable, peaceful, and prosperous region. Strengthening our relationship ensures our shared future prosperity and security,” he said.

“I look forward to welcoming my counterparts to Australia to discuss the shared challenges facing our region, opportunities to enhance our prosperity and how we can build on our strong relationships.”