Cops, promoter to discuss Gaga concert ticket refunds

The end of Gaga saga: Big Daddy Entertainment executive Michael Rusli (left) accompanied by lawyer Minola Sebayang (right) announces the cancellation of American pop diva Lady Gaga’s concert in Jakarta on Sunday. Michael said the artist cancelled her concert due to “security concerns”. (Antara/M Agung Rajasa)Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said on Monday that the police would meet with concert promoter Big Daddy Entertainment this week to discuss ticket refunds for the cancelled Lady Gaga performance.

“We will discuss the [ticket refund] mechanism; regarding how many tickets were sold and estimation on how many days would be needed to refund all of them,” he told reporters.

He said that the police estimated around two or three days would be needed to process all ticket refunds.

“We would also suggest that the process be done in a spacious place that can accommodate a large number of booths. We hope to discuss all of these technical matters [with Big Daddy] in the meeting,” he added.

The Grammy-award winning singer was scheduled to perform at the Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on June 3, but problems with permits and stiff opposition from groups such as the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) forced the pop start to reconsider.

Local promoter Big Daddy Entertainment’s executive Michael Rusli told reporters in Jakarta on Sunday that Gaga’s management had called him in the morning to cancel her performance in the capital.

According to Michael, the 26-year-old singer’s management decided to cancel the planned concert given “security concerns”.

Michael told reporters in Jakarta that the tickets would be 100 percent refunded starting on June 10.

He declined to comment on how much money the promoter had lost due to the cancellation.

A total of 52,000 tickets, with prices ranging from Rp 465,000 (US$50.75) to Rp 2.25 million, had already been sold since the opening of ticket sales on March 10. (swd)