Lady Gaga cancels Indonesia concert

Published: 7:50AM Monday May 28, 2012 Source: Reuters / ONE News

Lady Gaga's canceled a planned Indonesia concert because of security concerns over objections by Islamic groups to her "vulgar" style.

Local promoters Big Daddy Entertainment said on its website that the sold-out June 3 Born This Way Ball concert in the capital, Jakarta, was canceled and that 100% refunds would be given to ticket holders.

The US singer, known for her outrageous stunts and provocative costumes, said in a message on Sunday to her 25 million Twitter followers: "We had to cancel the concert in Indonesia. I'm so very sorry to the fans and just as devastated as you if not more. You are everything to me."

"I will try to put together something special for you. My love for Indonesia has only grown," she added.

Indonesia, a secular state, has the worl! d's larg est population of Muslims.

Salim Alatas, the head of the hardline group Islamic Defender Front, described the Bad Romance singer earlier this month as a "vulgar singer who wears only panties and a bra when she sings and she stated she is the envoy of the devil's child and that she will spread satanic teaching."

Conservative Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali welcomed the cancellation, saying other groups had also raised concerns.

"I strongly believe this cancellation will benefit the country. Indonesians need entertainment and art which have moral values," he told reporters.

Demonstrators holding banners saying "Go to hell Lady Gaga" staged protests in Jakarta last week.

The Jakarta Post quoted promoters of the concert as saying that the cancellation was due to fears not only for the pop star's safety, but for the 52,000 fans who had brought tickets.

Lady Gaga, who played before big crowds in the Philippines and Thailand last week, tweeted on Sunday, "There is nothing holy about hatred."

National police had refused to give Lady Gaga a permit, citing the security concerns, but they were talks with the shows' promoters and tickets were still sold.

Lady Gaga said last week that Indonesian authorities were demanding she censor the show, and that she was considering ditching her backup dancers and performing the concert solo in Jakarta.

Disappointed student, seventeen-year-old Agus Murdadi, told the Jakarta Globe that he had been waiting for months to see his idol.

"I'm shocked. She's creative, not provocative. I bought a ticket because I want to see her dancing and singing Judas in front of me," he said.

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 is scheduled to play three shows in New Zealand at Vector Arena on the 7th, 8th and 10th of June.

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