Lady Gaga's Indonesia concert canceled after threats

JAKARTA — Pop diva Lady Gaga on Sunday canceled her Indonesian concert with promoters saying 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 U.S. 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.”

The flamboyant performer, who has nearly 25 million followers on Twitter—the highest number on the social networking site—wrote just hours before the announcement was made: “There is nothing Holy about hatred.”

After the announcement the show was off, thousands of her fans, who call themselves “little monsters,” sent a flurry of Twitter messages to persuade her to go ahead with the concert.

Earlier this month, Jakarta police refused approval for the show after the Islamic Defenders 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 cancelation 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 claims seven million followers and has been known to raid pubs and clubs.

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

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

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.

Indonesian fans had suggested that Big Daddy look for another venue outside the capital after Jakarta police refused to give approval, but Rusli said “this is a huge concert, so it can’t be moved elsewhere.”

“Nowhere else in Indonesia can accommodate that many people”, he said, insisting that the 26-year-old singer was “prepared to adapt to Asian culture.”

The star’s manager Troy Carter said in Singapore on Thursday that Lady Gaga would not tone down her concerts.

Disappointed student Agus Murdadi, 17, said 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 told AFP.

“I’m going to tweet to her to tell her that she should just come and not worry. The police can take care of FPI. I hate the FPI.”

Another fan, Muh Fadli Firdaus, tweeted on @FadliGermanotta: “Sorry for everything, we still love you.”

Ninety percent of Indonesia’s 240 million people identify themselves as Muslim, making it the world’s largest Islamic-majority nation, but the vast majority practise a moderate form of the religion.

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.

article source: japantoday.com

Gov’t Sets Security Plans For Lady Gaga’s Concert

MANILA, Philippines -- Malacañang assured that there is ample security in preparation for the two-day concert of American singer and songwriter Lady Gaga.

“Basically, nakahanda na ang PNP (Philippine National Police), at sanay na sila mag-handle ng mga concerts (and they already know how to handle concerts),” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing yesterday.

“They can be assured – those people who are going to watch the concert,” he said.

Lacierda noted that foreign artists who hold concerts in the country usually bring their own security.

“The events organizer provides their own security, and in addition, the PNP, they also handle the ground, peace and order situation,” he said.

Earlier, some groups have been urging President Benigno S. Aquino III to impose a ban on Lady Gaga’s two-day concert, the first of which was Monday night at the newly-constructed “The Arena” in Pasay City.

They said they wanted a ban on the concert because of alleged immorality issues.

Also yesterday, Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said the fans of Lady Gaga are in danger of falling into the clutches of Satan.

“They are in danger of falling into the clutches of Satan unless they are already there,” Arguelles said in an interview.

The prelate issued the statement hours before the scheduled concert of Gaga at the Mall of Asia, whom he described as part of devil worship.

This is also the reason why, Arguelles believes, that the singer does not deserve the title “Lady.”

“She deserves not the title lady, a title given to imitable and decent women like the Mother of God,” he said.

Arguelles then appealed to Gaga’s fans and those planning to watch her concert to keep out of the devils reach by avoiding all its enticements.

“I plead with them not to go away from God. The devil will only draw them to ruin. Seek fullness of life which can be found only in God,” he said.

“Avoid all enticements of the devil. They don’t need to get refund. Just keep out of the devil’s reach. For their own sake and for the love of God,” added Arguelles.

But Kabataan Party-list Representative Raymond Palatino expressed confidence that the Filipino youth, who had attended the concert last night, have strong morals that would enable them to enjoy the artist’s music, at the same time shun the negative behaviors, attitude, or lifestyle that the concert may impart on them.

“We can survive two nights of Lady Gaga,” he assured.

He told various Christian and religious groups, and asked their leaders to let the younger generation enjoy the two-night concert of Lady Gaga.

“I am confident that our Filipino youth is matured enough not to follow whatever bad influence that they can see being embodied by Lady Gaga while being able to appreciate her music,” Palatino said.

“We survived 14 years of Martial Law. We can survive two nights of Lady Gaga since not all members of the young generation are going to see the concert,” he explained.

Palatino, one of the youngest lawmakers in the Lower Congress, also asked religious leaders to be more “tolerant” of the situation and give the younger generation the chance to discern on their own and make their own decision.

On the other hand, a certain Pastor Nanding Paunil had forwarded a text message to the public, saying that “Satan is now moving through the life of Lady Gaga,” who will perform in 116 cities all over the world.

Paunil said the singer promotes sexual immorality through her song, particularly “Born This Way,” and humiliates Jesus Christ in her song “Judas.”

Malacañang, however, said it would be up to the parents and guardians to guide their children on the issue of immorality purportedly contained in Lady Gaga’s songs.

Lady Gaga was banned from having a concert in Indonesia. In South Korea, those below 18 years old were prohibited from watching her concert.

source: mb.com.ph