Beyonce has cancelled her scheduled concert in Kuala Lumpur after refusing to censor her show to suit Islamic sensibilities.
Whilst the official reason for the cancellation is apparently grounded in a "scheduling conflict", it is understood that Beyonce was unwilling to de-sexualise her performance, and feared protest if the concert went ahead.A source said, "It's also beyond the dressing. She has to change the show. Basically, the ministry wants her to stand in front of the microphone and open her mouth. Just sing and cannot move."
Conservative Muslim groups possess significant power in Malaysia, despite it being a moderate Muslim nation. She will go on to perform on 1 November in Jakarta, Indonesia, which is itself the world's most populous Muslim nation.
The irony wasn't lost on Malaysian promoter Razlan Ahmad Razali, who noted "Although Indonesia is also a Muslim country, it doesn't have all these issues that we have. She can perform as she likes there."
In early August, Malaysian students called for the banning of a Gwen Stefani concert in the capital, describing her stage show as "obscene". That show went ahead with Stefani dressed in more modest attire.
And local promoters were fined after a Pussycat Dolls show in Malaysia last year, for allowing the pop act to perform a "sexually suggestive" routine.
