Group opposes Carey concert
Malaysia’s Muslim opposition party has urged the government to cancel an upcoming concert by pop diva Mariah Carey, saying her performance is immoral and promotes non-Islamic values.
“Everyone knows Mariah Carey presents herself in a sexy, unacceptable and almost vulgar manner,” Ahmad Sabki Yusof, a leader of the fundamentalist Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party’s youth wing, said Thursday. “She is not an appropriate role model for young Malaysians.”
Party officials handed a letter of protest to Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism officials urging that permission for the Feb. 22 concert at a 50,000-seat stadium in Kuala Lumpur be withdrawn. The date is a religious holiday in Malaysia.
Deputy Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Fu Ah Kiow last week said Malaysian officials supported the staging of Carey’s concert but reiterated the government’s policy that foreign performers should “dress accordingly” to avoid offending anyone.
Concert organizers had reportedly assured the ministry that Carey would comply with any dress regulations.
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