
Indonesian
police have said they would not issue a permit for the June 3 show after
objections from Islamic groups, but the promoters say they are still
fighting for a way to stage the event.
"The Jakarta situation is
2-fold: Indonesian authorities demand I censor the show & religious
extremist separately, are threatening violence," Lady Gaga tweeted on
her official @ladygaga account.
"If the show does go on as
scheduled, I will perform the BTWBall alone," she said, referring to her
Born This Way Ball show for which more than 50,000 tickets have been
sold.
It was not clear what the US pop diva meant by saying she would perform solo.
Indonesian
police said last week they would not issue a permit for the concert
after receiving objections to the provocative performer's risque shows
from Islamic groups, including the country's top Islamic body the
National Ulema Council (MUI).
Lawyers representing production
company Big Daddy said they met with Jakarta police Tuesday to discuss
conditions necessary for the show to go ahead.
"The deadline they
gave was seven days before the show. We are working hard to fulfil all
the requirements, which are mostly administrative. We have covered
almost all the conditions," lawyer Minola Sebayang told AFP.
But
Jakarta police spokesman Rikwanto said Tuesday that besides securing
permits from the tourism ministry and the concert venue owner, promoters
must "ensure she is dressed appropriately and does not violate cultural
norms in this country."
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.
But the MUI said it objected to the concert not only because of her provocative dresses, but also the "blasphemous" song lyrics.
"Lady
Gaga is considered an icon for liberal culture and Indonesia's freedom
is not without limits. There are restrictions related to norms, morals
and religion," MUI official Asrorun Niam told AFP.
Lady Gaga also
faced opposition from the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), which said it
would create havoc if she were allowed to perform in Indonesia, calling
her the "devil's messenger" who wears only a "bra and panties" on stage.
Ninety
percent of Indonesia's 240 million identify themselves as Muslims,
giving it the world's largest Islamic population, but the vast majority
practise a moderate form of the religion.
Lady Gaga's world tour has been dogged by controversy elsewhere in Asia.
Her
performance in the Philippine capital Manila on Monday went without a
glitch despite opposition from conservative Christians in the
Catholic-majority nation.
She has been allowed to hold a second concert Tuesday after state censors ruled her "provocative" act was within legal bounds.
The
Korean Association of Church Communication vowed in March to take
"concerted action to stop young people from being infected with
homosexuality and pornography" during the star's concert in Seoul.
From Msn News