'Ban Jupe', community leaders say

Sat, 01/03/2009 10:32 AM  |  People

TERNATE, North Maluku: Community leaders in the former Islamic sultanate of Ternate lambasted the city's administration for inviting model and dangdut singer Julia Perez, known for her seductive stage act, to perform on New Year's Eve.

JULIA PEREZ: JP/R. Bertho Wedhatama 

"We expect that the administration will never invite Jupe (as she is popularly known) again. Her act in last night's New Year's Eve celebration was enough," one community leader, H. Burhan, said, as quoted by Antara.

A number of people protesting against her presence at the Tapak II Ternate enclave had intended to blockade her performance but canceled their plans for security's sake.

Burhan said the city administration's policies should not ignore the prevailing traditional values.

Bringing Jupe to a public event is unquestionably out of line with existing values, because her performances are known for their "pornoaction", he said.

The administration, which has not yet responded to the protest, earlier made it clear that the singer had been invited for the sole purpose of entertaining the public.

Julia Perez, 28, was a model for the French editions of FHM and Maxim magazines. Her debut dangdut album titled Kamasutra, which is sold with a bonus condom, also incited protests in many regions last year. -- JP

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.