Trio Macan cancels gig after FPI ups demands
The Jakarta Post | The Archipelago | Sat, June 23 2012, 9:42 AM
BANDUNG: The management of dangdut group Trio Macan has canceled a planned show in Bandung this weekend, citing “security reasons” following excessive demands from the local branch of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI).
Trio Macan were “able to be polite and meet the conditions of the FPI”, Radio Cosmo director and concert organizer, Mufti Muchtiar, said.
“But the FPI asked them to sign an agreement in front of Bandung’s mayor, police chief, the Indonesian Ulema Council as well as the Bandung Military Command chief, which I think is difficult,” Mufti said in Bandung on Friday.
About 30 members of the hard-line group protested the performance in front of Radio Cosmo Bandung on Wednesday, threatening to take “any measures” necessary unless the singers canceled their show or wore veils and did not dance suggestively.
The FPI also insisted that the dangdut singers perform “religious” songs.
During the rally, the FPI likened Trio Macan to devils and said that the performance might lead to rape and sexual assaults.
This is the second time that the Bandung chapter of the FPI has forced a dangdut singer to cancel a performance in the city. Dewi Perssik also canceled a concert following FPI protests.
