Avril ‘Too Sexy’ For Malaysia

Malaysia’s Islamist opposition party has urged the government to cancel Avril Lavigne’s August 29 performance in Kuala Lumpur, reportedly calling the singer’s onstage act “too sexy.”

The youth wing of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party said Lavigne’s concert would promote the wrong values during the lead-up to the county’s independence day August 31.

“It is considered too sexy for us. … It’s not good for viewers in Malaysia,” said Kamarulzaman Mohamed, a party official. “We don’t want our people, our teenagers, influenced by their performance. We want clean artists, artists that are good role models.”

An official from the Culture, Artists & Heritage Ministry said the government has not given permission for the concert yet.

A spokesman for concert organizer Galaxy Group denied that Lavigne’s show included any “negative elements” and said he was confident the show would be permitted, as feedback from authorities had been “very positive.”

Malaysia requires performers to be covered from the chest to knees and refrain from wearing clothing featuring obscene or drug-related images. Also prohibited is jumping, shouting, hugging or kissing on stage. Still, conservative groups protest against Western and even Malaysian concerts they deem inappropriate.

Gwen Stefani last year made what she called “a major sacrifice” in wearing less-revealing attire, while Christina Aguilera and Beyoncé skipped the country altogether during their tours.

Lavigne’s Asian tour is set to begin in Malaysia and end in Beijing October 6, following dates in South Korea, the Philippines, 11 Japan dates and five other Chinese dates.