Lady GaGa cancels 'Born This Way Ball' Indonesia show
Published May 27 2012, 10:16 BST | By Colin Daniels
Lady GaGa has been forced to cancel her sold-out show in Indonesia over security concerns.Groups including the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) had threatened violence if the singer went ahead with her 'Born This Way Ball' Jakarta show, claiming that her revealing outfits and provocative dance moves would corrupt the country's youth.
© PA Images / Dita Alangkara/AP
> Lady GaGa on Indonesia tour date controversy: 'I will perform alone'
Police initially revoked the concert's permit due to safety issues, but later offered to grant the required permits if GaGa toned her show down.
However, her management insisted that there would be no compromise to satisfy religious conservatives, according to The AP.
"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 said.
© Rex Features / Aflo
"This is not only about Lady GaGa's security, but extends to those who will be watching her."
GaGa herself wrote on Twitter: "There is nothing Holy about hatred. We had to cancel the concert in Indonesia. I'm so very sorry to the fans & 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. #GagaSendsLoveToJakarta and all its people."
Big Daddy president director Michael Rusli added: "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. The cancellation is really due to concerns over security."
Jakarta would have been the biggest stop on GaGa's Asian tour. All 52,000 tickets will be refunded.
© PA Images / Tatan Syuflana/AP
© PA Images / Dita Alangkara/AP
FPI Jakarta chairman Habib Salim Alatas told AFP: "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.
"Lady GaGa fans, stop complaining. Repent and stop worshipping the devil. Do you want your lives taken away by God as infidels?"
Beyoncé and The Pussycat Dolls have had to tone down their Indonesian performances in the past.
The secular country is the world's largest Islamic-majority nation, with 90% of its 240 million people practicing the faith.
I certainly wouldn't want my 14 year old daughter singing, "Let's have some fun this beat is sick, I wanna take a ride on your disco stick"!!!!!......so personally I think they've done right banning her show. This is not hatred people, try not to think with such duality, its protecting a moral society that's in decline.
May 28th 2012 at 5:30pm
That is a ridiculous thing to say. I don't know how you can say a country that still advocates the death penalty is a moral society?! Lady Gaga preaches tolerance and self-acceptance something a lot of people, and i expect many in Indonesia need more of. Granted her shows are more sexualised than others may be, and you may choose not to take your 14 year old daughter to one, and that is your choice and your right. However, it's not your right to stop anyone else who doesn't have 19th century sexual morals from going by banning her concert though
May 28th 2012 at 6:19pm(+1 like)
19th century sexual morals, lol, oh so encouraging young teenage girls to be more sexual is modern and a good thing, lol, ok!! Did I not mention duality? Oh because I support the ban doesn't mean I support the death penalty, their trying to protect their children from an over sexed pop culture, even Pete Waterman, big 1980's pop producer has publicly stated that some pop acts now are on the verge of soft porn! And I agree, preaching self-acceptance and tolerance is a great thing but news things aren't always better.
June 2nd 2012 at 7:45pm
What a delightful religion. Casting people to hell and spreading hatred.
May 28th 2012 at 10:40am(+2 likes)
This story speaks volumes that the world hasn't moved on one bit from the antiquated shackles of religion. It's appalling that religions retain such power and worse, that their followers think this kind of behaviour is acceptable AND that it's a worthwhile use of their time over (as opposed to spending it on something that actually benefits the world or people in some way).
May 28th 2012 at 8:24am(+1 like)
I wish the first rule of religion was the exactly the same as the first rule of fight club.
May 28th 2012 at 5:34am(+3 likes)
Love this!
May 28th 2012 at 10:08am
bloody hate religion! keep your thoughts to yourself! do they not have jobs to get to
May 28th 2012 at 3:42am(+1 like)
They can't.. They pray to live AFTER they die.. They know inside something is wrong.. But Most of them have families that won't accept them any other way.. Its a Crusade that has never stopped.. They elect their friends of the church.. The hire their friends of the church.. < Its a Cult that is trying to take over.. They even allowed JESUS rifles in Iraq.. They make the worst kind of terrorists out of people.. Forcing them down on their level.. With ignorant things that only they can understand.. So it makes you feel like you need them to understand it. Its the real devils best trick.. Keep people on their knees.. T_T I got a few family members. That are christian.. And you know what? When they claim other religions or people are evil and need to die? I want to hurt them.. Isn't that sad? How they corrupt you? and everything they touch? Makes you wonder if the devil didn't write the bible himself.. Logic.. When a woman has to marry the guy who defiled her? Someone should have b-slapped the priest.. But no.. They kept it in the bible.. So when they rule? Those laws can be reactivated.. Makes you wonder why does it not?
May 28th 2012 at 8:13pm