Wednesday January 21, 2009
PAS plans to stop Rihanna concert
By JANE RITIKOS
KUALA LUMPUR: PAS wants to stop R&B star Rihanna from performing here on Feb 13.
Its Federal Territory Youth chief Kamaruzaman Mohamad said inviting the Barbados-born singing sensation to Malaysia was “akin to insulting eastern culture, belittling local artistes, intentionally causing losses to the country’s economy and supporting Israel’s war policy, which is supported by America”.
The PAS wing said it also found the Grammy award winner to be unsuitable because she often performed suggestively and wore skimpy, sexy outfits.
Kamaruzaman said local concert sponsor Celcom should give priority to eastern cultures and local artistes.
He said Rihanna’s appearance here would result in an outflow of local currency to the United States, and in turn, cause loss to the country and suffering to the Palestinians.
He reasoned that the United States supplies arms to its ally Israel from contributions and taxes collected from Americans.
“Whether Rihanna realises it or not, we know that the taxes she has paid also contributed to the war in Gaza,” Kamaruzaman said.
He wants the permit issuers, including police and City Hall, to reject the organiser’s application.
The PAS wing would submit a protest note on the concert soon.
Rihanna, whose hits include Umbrella and Disturbia, is to perform here as part of her Good Girl Gone Bad tour.
At an event yesterday, Celcom chief executive officer Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly said Celcom was just the concert sponsor.
“She (Rihanna) has agreed to follow the regulations,” he said, adding that the organiser, Pineapple Concerts, had already made arrangements with the singer and the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry was informed of her performance.
Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo Burne said he did not think anyone should impose his or her own moral views on others, and that Rihanna should not be “deemed guilty by association”.
“I agree we should show displeasure against the United States but boycotting everything associated with America is difficult,” he added.
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