No longer deemed "too sexy"
Update to this story. "Malaysia relents - bans all bans on Avril Lavigne concert," from the Bangkok Post, August 25:
Kuala Lumpur (dpa) - Malaysian authorities have reversed their decision to cancel a concert by Canadian pop-rock star Avril Lavigne, days after they ruled that her show was unsuitable for local youths, a senior official said Monday."After discussions with organizers, we have agreed to allow the show to go on," a spokesman for the Arts, Culture and Heritage Ministry said.
Its minister Shafie Apdal had sparked criticisms of being "closed- minded" on Wednesday when he said Lavigne's show would be cancelled because it was unsuitable for Malaysian culture and could not be held on August 29, two days ahead of independence day and nearing the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.
However, the ministry official said the decision has seen [since?] been reversed, but declined to give a specific reason.
"The minister is showing our country to be a closed-minded, childish country that objects to anything different from our own culture," said Leow, a Lavigne fan who had purchased tickets for her concert weeks earlier."It's a relief that they've come to their senses now," he said.
Lavigne, 23, will be performing in this Muslim-majority nation for the first time.
The youth wing of a hardline opposition Islamic group had earlier called for the show to be canceled, saying Lavigne's performances were too raunchy for youths.
Malaysian Western music fans are often forced to travel to neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and Singapore to catch their favourite stars due to strict guidelines imposed on performers.
Last year, R&B singer Beyonce moved her show from Malaysia to Indonesia, and Christina Aguilera skipped the country on an Asian tour after a controversy erupted over a dress code for foreign artists.
Malaysia requires all performers to wear clothes without obscene or drug-related images and to be covered from the chest to the knees. They must also refrain from jumping, shouting, hugging and kissing on stage.
>>The youth wing of a hardline opposition Islamic group had earlier called for the show to be canceled, saying Lavigne's performances were too raunchy for youths.
But, it's A-OK for these same youths to burn down any Christian churches they might see, or kill any Infidels who happen by.
In Ms Lavigne's case, I almost wish she would be made to wear a niqab. Just to see if she would.
I shudder to think of what it must be like to live in a culture in which Avril Lavigne is considered "too sexy."
You have to be out of your mind to put on a concert in such a hell hole as Malaysia. This will probably end very badly.
Why don't these stars do their gigs in Singapore and maybe places like Bali, East Timor, thrown in Darwin (Australia), and leave it at that? In this case, one wonders - did Avril agree to either marry a Mohammedan or become one for them to come to that conclusion?
She definitely needs to be banned. No one who looks like that should be allowed uncovered in public. It drives those muslim boys nuts. It's bad for their mental health. It makes them forget about Allah.
I know this is true because when I watch Pam Anderson on Baywatch, I forget all about Allah myself.
This is not a problem for me because I am not a muslim, but for muslims this is serious.
Is is possible to have Avril Lavigne on your mind, and Allah at the same time? Only a few exceptionally gifted muslims could do it, maybe eight or ten. Not enough for a concert...
"However, the ministry official said the decision has seen [since?] been reversed, but declined to give a specific reason."
They all realized they couldn't get their money back for the tickets they'd already purchased. LOL!