No request yet to ban La Toya Jackson shows<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Immigration Office has not received any
\nformal request to ban a visit by American singer La Toya Jackson.<\/p>\n
\"Although many quarters have raised objections to her planned
\nperformances, we have yet to receive any official requests to ban
\nthe artist from performing here,\" the spokesman for the office,
\nHario Subayu, said here yesterday as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
La Toya, a sister of mega-star Michael Jackson, is scheduled
\nto perform in Jakarta on May 26, Bandung on May 27 and Surabaya
\non May 29. The performances are being sponsored by Buena
\nProduction.<\/p>\n
La Toya's performances, however, have been under threat of
\ncancellation since the ruling political group, Golkar, urged the
\npolice not to grant a permit on the grounds that her attitude and
\nlifestyle are at odds with local values.<\/p>\n
The chairman of Golkar's art and culture department, Ais
\nAnantama, asked police on May 17 to reject La Toya's permit
\napplication due to her controversial past, which includes a nude
\nspread in Playboy magazine and a less than flattering story that
\nshe once published about her family.<\/p>\n
A few days later, chairman of the Golkar faction in the House
\nof Representatives, A. Moestahid, made a similar statement,
\nsaying that the Entertainment Evaluating Committee should be very
\nselective in permitting certain foreign artists to perform in
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
He concurred with Ais, saying that La Toya should be banned
\nfrom performing because her lifestyle does not fit into the local
\nculture.<\/p>\n
Subayu said yesterday that his office is also waiting for the
\nsponsor to submit a visa application for La Toya.<\/p>\n
He said, however, that \"as long as she has a legal visa and
\npassport, there will be no problem.\"<\/p>\n
He then pointed out that it is actually the commander of the
\nArmed Forces who has the authority to issue the ban.<\/p>\n
On May 19, National Police deputy chief in charge of
\noperational affairs Maj. Gen. M. B. Hutagalung said police would
\n\"most likely\" issue a permit for the La Toya shows.<\/p>\n
Buena Production director, Peter Basuki claims that he has
\napplied for permits from the Entertainment Evaluating Committee
\nand City Police and that both have given the green light.<\/p>\n
He said he stood to lose over Rp 120 million (US$56,000) if La
\nToya's performances in Indonesia were canceled. (bas)<\/p>",
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