Gag on Lady Gaga stirs Indonesia fears
By Maganga Media - May 31, 2012
Some Indonesians opposed Lady Gaga's scheduled performance, accusing her of being a 'devil worshipper' [EPA]. Cancellation of US pop star's Jakarta concert raises fears that hardliners may be pushing an agenda of intolerance. "Little monsters lost to big monsters", wrote an Indonesian television anchor on his Twitter account shortly after Lady Gaga cancelled her biggest concert in Asia, a sold-out event scheduled to take place in Jakarta on June 3.
The pop star's fans, which she affectionately calls her "little monsters", now have to accept that the woman they saw on Indonesian television, or discovered in DVD shops, cannot visit their country because of safety concerns. Although a small group of Islamic hardliners rejoiced over the news of Gaga's concert cancellation, many Indonesians started to wonder who really has gone gaga here.
In fact, this incident does not have much to do with the American singer. Instead, it illustrates a far deeper conflict that is dividing Indonesia. The Lady Gaga saga started a few weeks ago, after some Indonesians opposed her visit, citing her exposed body parts and "devilish" lyrics.
The pop star soon became the centre of a debate between those who see her as a symbol of freedom, and those who see her as a symbol of evil. The fact that the Islamic Defenders Front (IDF) was successful in repelling her from Indonesia shows that threats of violence can pay off. "The fact that police can't guarantee security of the concert shows that our state is weak towards groups that promote intolerance," said Hendardi, head of the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace.
"It's up to the authority of the state to guarantee freedom of expression and security as outlined in our constitution."
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ANDIKA MAONI YAKO KUHUSU HABARI HII
