Beyonce cancels Malaysia show
KUALA LUMPUR: R&B star Beyonce Knowles has scrapped plans to stage her first concert in Malaysia amid speculation she objected to a strict dress code barring sexy attire, industry officials said Monday.
Knowles will instead head for neighbouring Indonesia, which although also Muslim has less stringent rules about how performers should dress and behave.
Knowles' Los Angeles-based talent agency, International Creative Management, said her Nov 1 date with Kuala Lumpur had to be broken “due to a scheduling conflict,'' according to an ICM statement made available by Malaysian entertainment organisers Pineapple Concerts.
The announcement followed recent speculation that Knowles, famous for her sexy image and skimpy outfits, was reluctant to fulfil the Malaysian government's demand for female performers to cover up from the top of their chests to their knees, including their shoulders.
“It is with regret that we announce the cancellation of The Beyonce Experience World Tour in Kuala Lumpur,'' the ICM statement said.
“It was to mark the very first time the performer would bring her show to Malaysia.''
Knowles will perform in Jakarta instead on Nov 1, the statement said, adding that Knowles “is looking forward to performing for all her fans in Kuala Lumpur in the near future.''
Pineapple Concerts chairman Razlan Ahmad Razali said his company, which has brought Western acts such as Kanye West and Earth, Wind and Fire to Malaysia, was “disappointed and frustrated.''
Razlan declined to comment on the rumours that Knowles balked at Malaysia's decency code. However, he noted that besides Indonesia, Knowles is now slated to travel over the next month to many other Asian countries, including Thailand, China and India. – AP
Taken from http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/10/2/nation/19051867&sec=nation
