Gagged: threats force Gaga to cancel gig

Pop diva Lady Gaga has cancelled her sold-out show in Indonesia, amid threats from hardline Muslims.

The fundamentalists had threatened violence if Lady Gaga went ahead with her Born This Way Ball in the world’s most populous Muslim country, saying her sexy clothes and provocative dance moves could corrupt the young.

Police refused to issue the necessary permits unless she agreed to tone things down, but concert promotion lawyer Minola Sebayang said yesterday that the show planned for next Sunday had been cancelled.

He explained: “This is not only about Lady Gaga’s security, but extends to those who will be watching her.”

Indonesia, a nation of 240 million people, was supposed to be the biggest performance on Lady Gaga’s Asian tour.

The controversy has been a blow to the predominantly Muslim country’s reputation for combining free speech and democracy with a mostly moderate brand of the faith.

Fans were devastated, despite the offer of full refunds. Some accused police of buckling to the will of a small group of thugs.