Asia-Pacific News

Beyonce cancels Malaysian concert after Islamist pressure

Oct 21, 2009, 7:20 GMT

   Kuala Lumpur - Multiple Grammy award-winner Beyonce Knowles has indefinitely postponed the Malaysian leg of her world tour following opposition by hardline Islamists over her racy costumes and dance moves, news reports said Wednesday.

   Beyonce, who was due to perform in the capital Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, had earlier agreed to tone down her performance and clothes for the show.

   However, local organisers of the concert announced that the show would be postponed, without a new date given.

   Malaysian Tourism Minister Rais Yatim said the government had not imposed any pressure or conditions on Beyonce, adding that the decision to cancel the show could have been due to pressure from local hardline Islamists, the New Straits Times daily said.

   Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) had objected to Beyonce's concert, saying the singer's costumes and performances were 'too sexy' for local audiences.

   The show's indefinite postponement marks the second time Beyonce has cancelled a show in Malaysia, the first being in 2007 when she decided to pull out after PAS mounted strong objections to the show.

   The Islamic party has in the past opposed scheduled concerts by numerous famous Western female performers, including Rihanna, Avril Lavigne, the Pussycat Dolls and Gwen Stefani.

   While Islam is the main religion in Malaysia, the country has large minorities of Christians, Buddhists and Hindus.