U

S Grammy-award winning singer Lady Gaga can no longer maintain her poker face.

She has finally broken her silence on the prolonged drama over her planned Jakarta concert, making notes of censorship concerns and threats of violence against her on Twitter.

“The Jakarta situation is 2-fold: Indonesian authorities demand I censor the show and religious extremists separately, are threatening violence,” she said on Twitter on Tuesday.

“If the show does go on as scheduled, I will perform the BTWBall [Born This Way Ball] alone.”

One of the authorities she was referring to is Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali, who said last week that Gaga “indulges in pornography by wearing revealing costumes” and that she would have a negative influence on young Indonesians.

The hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI) has also expressed strong opposition to the singer, with one FPI executive, Salim Alatas, saying that Gaga brings “the faith of Satan to our country and thus will destroy the nation’s morals”.

Gaga’s planned June 3 concert has been in limbo following objections by numerous conservative groups and the Jakarta Police’s aversion to recommend the National Police issue a concert permit.

As the saga continues, the National Police came up with a solution — but with a twist.

The National Police said Tuesday they would issue a concert permit for Gaga — as long the promoters got recommendations from the Religious Affairs Ministry and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

According to the 2002 Police Law, it is the National Police who have the authority “to issue a permit for and monitor activities involving crowds”.

In response to the National Police’s solution, Adrianus Meliala, a University of Indonesia expert in security and police reform issues, said that the police needed no approval from the MUI or the Religious Affairs Ministry to issue a concert permit.

“The police are the security authority — that is their coverage of work. They can’t just turn a blind eye to the security issue should the MUI not issue a recommendation for the concert, can they?” he told The Jakarta Post.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta Police have relaxed their position, saying they were preparing between 2,000 and 4,000 officers to safeguard Gaga’s concert if it goes ahead.

“Our stance is still the same: We won’t recommend the concert be held. However, as part of the National Police, of course we are ready to safeguard the show if the National Police decide that the show can go on as planned,” he told reporters.

MUI arts and culture division head Cholil Ridwan said the organization would further discuss whether a recommendation would be issued in a leadership meeting.

FPI spokesman Munarman said on Tuesday that Indonesian Christians should praise the FPI, as well as other Islamic organizations, for their campaign against Gaga’s
concert.

“Lady Gaga has obviously misused symbols of Christianity, such as the cross, in her work,” he said, citing Gaga’s song “Judas” as an example.

Munarman was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with members of the House of Representatives’ Commission III overseeing law, human rights and security.

The FPI and other hard-line groups went to the House to ensure House members supported the police’s initial decision to ban Gaga’s concert.

Minola Sebayang, the lawyer of Gaga’s Indonesian promoter, Big Daddy Entertainment, said the management would unveil its final decision on whether the concert would be held or not, on June 2 — one day before the scheduled concert.

“There will be no concert if the permit is not issued,” Minola said at the Jakarta Police headquarters.

The Immigration Office has revealed that Gaga has already obtained a visa to enter Indonesia. (png)

Margareth S. Aritonang contributed reporting.