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Preparations for Lady Gaga's Jakarta concert continued on Monday as the event's promoter, undaunted by protesting Islamist organizations and a lack of a concert permit, released another 2,000 tickets for the sold-out show.
“We have already sold 52,000 tickets, not counting these 2,000 additional tickets,” said Michael Rusli, president director of Big Daddy, the concert's promoter.
“Public enthusiasm is very high,” he said.
The US pop star's Jakarta concert has attracted the attention of Indonesia's radical Islamist organizations, who have threatened to forcibly prevent Lady Gaga from stepping off her plane and have warned police that the singer will corrupt the nation's youth. The Jakarta Police responded on Sunday by recommending that the concert — part of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way Ball" tour — be canceled.
The National Police are still deciding whether to issue the concert a permit.
But the concert's promoter said that Lady Gaga's June 3 show already has the backing of Indonesia's Tourism Ministry.
"A permit is usually issued two or three weeks before the concert," Michael said. "We already have the recommendation from the tourism ministry needed to get permission from the police, but the process is not yet finished."
The head of Indonesia's Muslim Defender Team, M. Mahendradatta, urged police to cancel the concert in light of public protest. The legal aid organization, which is known for representing Islamist and terrorist organizations, said that police should take the complaints of groups like the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) seriously.
“Whether you like it or not, Lady Gaga teaches [fans] to worship the devil,” Mahendradatta said. “That goes against the teachings of any religion. We don’t approve of that.”
The concert's promoter called that idea was ridiculous.
"Lady Gaga is a catholic and she has many charitable works, how could she be a devil worshiper?" Michael said.
The US pop diva — known for her provocative outfits and sexy stage shows — will tone down her concert for Indonesian audiences, Michael said.
"The concert will be different from video clips [seen online]," Michael said. "It will not be vulgar."
The 2,000 additional tickets released on Monday were sold at Rp 465,000 ($50) each. The concert is scheduled for June 3 at Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
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