Page last updated at 16:59 GMT, Saturday, 23 August 2008 17:59 UK

Malaysia allows Lavigne concert

Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne wants to begin her Asia tour in Kuala Lumpur

Pop singer Avril Lavigne will be allowed to perform in Malaysia despite concerns her show is "too sexy".

Fundamentalist opposition group the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party had said Lavigne's shows were unsuitable for a Muslim-majority country.

The government then cancelled her concert on 29 August fearing disruption to independence day celebrations.

A government minister would not explain the turnaround but said there had been talks with the concert organisers.

Muzahet Masruri, secretary-general of the Arts, Culture and Heritage Ministry, told the AP news agency the gig organisers had told the government they had already sold thousands of tickets and that the cancellation could hurt tourism.

When cancelling the show earlier this week, the government denied the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party had influenced their decision to stop Lavigne performing.

Lavigne, 23, whose hits include Complicated and Girlfriend, is planning to launch her month-long Asia tour in Kuala Lumpur.

Lavigne is not the only singer to have encountered problems when wanting to perform in Malaysia.

Last year, R&B singer Beyonce moved her show from Malaysia to Indonesia.

Christina Aguilera missed the country out of an Asia tour amid controversy over a dress code for foreign artists.

Official guidelines about performances in Malaysia state that female artists must cover up from the top of the chest to the knees.

Performers are also forbidden from jumping, shouting or embracing members of the audience.

US group The Pussycat Dolls were censured by the Malaysian authorities for flouting the regulations at a concert in 2006.

Lavigne loses voice and axes gigs
04 May 08 |  Entertainment
Beyonce shelves Malaysia concert
01 Oct 07 |  Entertainment
Mariah upsets Malaysian Muslims
16 Jan 04 |  Entertainment
Indecency fine for Pussycat Dolls
10 Aug 06 |  Entertainment
Lavigne takes MTV awards double
02 Nov 07 |  Entertainment
Avril Lavigne rejects copy claim
10 Jul 07 |  Entertainment
Stefani dresses down for Malaysia
22 Aug 07 |  Entertainment

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

Has China's housing bubble burst?
How the world's oldest clove tree defied an empire
Why Royal Ballet principal Sergei Polunin quit

BBC navigation



Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific