Lady Gaga Cancels
Show in Indonesia Due to Life Threats
Lady Gaga cancelled her June 3
Indonesia concert when promoters revealed the security threat was too serious
after Islamic hardliners promised "chaos" if she entered the Muslim
nation.
The promoters had indicated that a deal was being hammered out to tone down the June 3 concert in Jakarta, but the US star's management had stood firm, vowing there would be no compromise to appease religious conservatives.
The promoters had indicated that a deal was being hammered out to tone down the June 3 concert in Jakarta, but the US star's management had stood firm, vowing there would be no compromise to appease religious conservatives.
"Lady Gaga's management has considered the situation minute to minute,
and with threats if the concert goes ahead, Lady Gaga's side is calling off the
concert," Minola Sebayang, lawyer for promoters Big Daddy, told
reporters.
"This is not only about Lady Gaga's security, but extends to those who
will be watching her."
Earlier this month Jakarta police refused approval for the show after the IslamicDefenders Front (FPI) threatened violence if Lady Gaga performed, calling her a "devil's messenger" who wears only a "bra and panties".
Big Daddy president director Michael Rusli said it was "unfortunate" that the show, part of Lady Gaga's tour of Asia that drew protests from Christian groups in the Philippines and South Korea, had to be called off.
"For the past few days we have communicated with the government and Lady Gaga's side. The government has given support, but this is not about the permit," he said. "The cancellation is really due to concerns over security."
More than 50,000 tickets had been sold for the event at the Bung Karno Stadium, but FPI Jakarta chairman Habib Salim Alatas said the cancellation was "good news" for Muslims in Indonesia.
Earlier this month Jakarta police refused approval for the show after the IslamicDefenders Front (FPI) threatened violence if Lady Gaga performed, calling her a "devil's messenger" who wears only a "bra and panties".
Big Daddy president director Michael Rusli said it was "unfortunate" that the show, part of Lady Gaga's tour of Asia that drew protests from Christian groups in the Philippines and South Korea, had to be called off.
"For the past few days we have communicated with the government and Lady Gaga's side. The government has given support, but this is not about the permit," he said. "The cancellation is really due to concerns over security."
More than 50,000 tickets had been sold for the event at the Bung Karno Stadium, but FPI Jakarta chairman Habib Salim Alatas said the cancellation was "good news" for Muslims in Indonesia.
"FPI is grateful that she has decided not to come. Indonesians will be
protected from sin brought about by this Mother Monster, the destroyer of
morals," he told AFP.
"Lady Gaga fans, stop complaining. Repent and stop worshipping the devil. Do you want your lives taken away by God as infidels?"
The FPI has about seven million followers and has been known to raid pubs and clubs.
Lady Gaga is scheduled to play three shows in Singapore this week. She was due to play in Jakarta after that, before flying to New Zealand and Australia, and then to Europe on her "Born This Way Ball" tour.
The star's manager Troy Carter said in Singapore on Thursday that Lady Gaga would not tone down her concerts.
Ninety percent of Indonesia's 240 million people identify themselves as Muslim, making it the world's largest Islamic-majority nation.
In the past, pop stars including Beyonce and The Pussycat Dolls have been allowed to perform in the country on condition they wore more conservative dress than usual.
"Lady Gaga fans, stop complaining. Repent and stop worshipping the devil. Do you want your lives taken away by God as infidels?"
The FPI has about seven million followers and has been known to raid pubs and clubs.
Lady Gaga is scheduled to play three shows in Singapore this week. She was due to play in Jakarta after that, before flying to New Zealand and Australia, and then to Europe on her "Born This Way Ball" tour.
The star's manager Troy Carter said in Singapore on Thursday that Lady Gaga would not tone down her concerts.
Ninety percent of Indonesia's 240 million people identify themselves as Muslim, making it the world's largest Islamic-majority nation.
In the past, pop stars including Beyonce and The Pussycat Dolls have been allowed to perform in the country on condition they wore more conservative dress than usual.
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