Avril Lavigne’s Malaysian Concert Now Back On

August 25th, 2008

The Malaysian Culture Ministry has overturned its decision to cancel Avril Lavigne’s August 29 concert in Kuala Lumpur, now saying that the show can go ahead as planned.

The popstar’s concert was stopped following opposition from the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party claiming, “It is considered too sexy for us. It’s not good for viewers in Malaysia. We don’t want our people, our teenagers, influenced by their performance. We want clean artists, artists that are good role models.”

Following an initial meeting by the Culture Ministry, Shukran Ibrahim announced, “It is not timely. It’s not in the good spirit of our National Day. If we go ahead with the concert, it is contrary to what we are preparing for.”

However, after hearing from concert organizers the decision was overturned with Arts and Culture Minister Mohamad Shafie Apdal saying, “In giving the approval, the cabinet also instructed the (arts and culture) ministry to monitor the concert to ensure that the performances do not clash with the Malaysian culture and values.”

Photo courtesy of RCA.