The Fame Monster, due here next month as part of her sell-out national tour, will be skipping over Indonesia on her way down under after security concerns over her show in the concert’s capital forced her to cancel.
Islamic groups have protested Gaga’s arrival in the country’s capital of Jakarta, calling her performance and music “vulgar.” Rallies and demonstrations held by the hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) contained signs telling Lady Gaga to “got to hell”, even threatening they would prevent the pop star from getting off her plane.
The BBC reported that once Indonesian Police had refused to issue a permit for Gaga over the objections from the Islamic group. Stating they would “only issue permits for the concert… if the flamboyant singer agreed to tone things down.” Instead, her management and promotion pulled the plug on her scheduled sold-out performance in Jakarta.
Big Daddy Entertainment, the local promoters for the Born This Way Ball, issued a statement that the show was officially cancelled due to security concerns. “This is not only about Lady Gaga’s security,” read their online mesage, “but extends to those who will be watching her.” They also offered that full refunds would be made available to ticket holders.
In addition, Gaga took to her twitter account, with one of the largest followings on the social network site at 25 million followers, with a tweet that read, “there’s nothing holy about hatred.” Before adding, “I’m so very sorry to the fans & just as devastated as you if not more. You are everything to me.”
The Islamist FPI had made violent threats if the 50,000 strong concert was to go ahead, calling Gaga a “devil’s messenger… [in] bra and panties.” The group’s chairman, Habib Salim Alatas, welcomed the cancellation calling it “good news” for Muslims. Telling reporters, “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,” he told foreign press, “repent and stop worshipping the devil. Do you want your lives taken away by God as infidels?”
Suryadharma Ali, Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Minister, agreed the cancellation would “benefit the country,” adding that “Indonesians need entertainment and art which have moral values.”
Despite the cancellation and religious backlash, Gaga once again tweeted her regrets to concert-goers who’d be missing out:
I will try to put together something special for you. My love for Indonesia has only grown. #GagaSendsLoveToJakarta and all its people.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) May 27, 2012
