SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2004
No sexy attire for Mariah in Malaysia concert
AFP
KUALA LUMPUR : American pop diva Mariah Carey will hold her concert in Malaysia next month despite Islamic pressure for it to be cancelled but she cannot wear sexy or revealing attire under strict stage rules, officials and organisers said Friday.
The opposition Islamic Party (PAS) has called for Carey's concert at a Kuala Lumpur stadium on February 22 to be cancelled, saying it would encourage moral degradation and was also disrespectful to Muslims because it coincided with an Islamic religious holiday.
But Eric Chen, spokesman for concert organiser Galaxy Production, said that the date of Carey's concert was fixed much earlier as part of her "Charmbracelet" world tour and was not intended to offend Muslims.
He said the singer, who would also be performing in other Muslim nations including neighbouring Indonesia , would respect local sensitivities and abide by dressing guidelines issued by the tourism ministry.
"We will follow the guidelines. Carey is also performing in Jakarta and other Middle East countries and there are no problems there. The public is more interested in her singing," Chen said.
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