Canadian singer Avril Lavigne is going ahead with her August 29 concert in Malaysia, contrary to press reports that it has been postponed / called off because Malaysia's government felt it could mar the country's Independence Day celebrations.
© AFP/Getty Images/FileAugust 21, 2008 (Sawf News) - Canadian singer Avril Lavigne is going ahead with her August 29 concert in Malaysia, contrary to press reports that it has been postponed / called off because Malaysia's government felt it could mar the country's Independence Day celebrations.
"Well, I've actually been approved by the government to play a show," Avril told MTV news on Thursday, August 21. "I've already sold 10,000 tickets there, so I will be going to put on a concert for the fans.
"They tend to, you know, sometimes not want Western artists in their country," she continued. "I respect that, but at the same time, you know, there's people that listen to music there and want to see their idols and stuff, so it's all good: been approved by the government and [I'm] going to go put on a show and have fun."
Malaysia's Islamic opposition party, the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, is reported to be opposed to the concert because Avril's moves and stage show were "too sexy."
Malaysia mandates that performers be covered from chest to knees, avoid clothes that feature obscene or drug-related images, and refrain from jumping, shouting, hugging and kissing onstage.
Some past performers who have fallen foul of conservatives in the generally moderate Muslim country include the Pussycat Dolls, Gwen Stefani, Beyoncé and Christina Aguilera.
Malaysia marks its 51st year of independence from Britain on August 31.
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