Tuesday, October 20, 2009
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — R&B star Beyonc has postponed a planned concert in Malaysia, the event’s organizer said Monday, after accusations by Islamic conservatives that the show would be immoral.
Beyonc , known for her provocative clothes and choreography, had been scheduled to perform at a Kuala Lumpur stadium this coming Sunday. The show “has been postponed to a future date to be announced shortly,” Malaysian entertainment company Marctensia said in a statement.
“The postponement is solely [the] decision of the artist and has nothing to do with other external reasons,” the statement said.
A Marctensia representative declined to say whether the decision was prompted by criticism from the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, the country’s largest opposition group, which has called for the show to be scrapped because it would promote “Western sexy performances.”
Beyonc also canceled a planned performance in Malaysia in 2007 after protest threats by the opposition Islamic party. At the time, her talent agency said the show was called off because of a scheduling conflict.
Instead, Beyonc went to Indonesia, also a largely Muslim country, which has less-stringent rules about how performers should dress and behave. Female artists at Malaysian concerts are required by government rules to cover up from the shoulders to knees, with no cleavage showing.
Last month, Marctensia addressed concerns that Beyonc might wear inappropriate outfits, saying “all parties have come to an amicable understanding” about stage costumes.