Protest mars Inul's show

JAKARTA: A group of hard-line Muslims demonstrated against popular dangdut singer Inul Daratista as she performed in her road show on Thursday as part of Jakarta's 476th anniversary celebrations.

A banner carried by the 25 protesters from the self-proclaimed Group Concerned About Vice read, "Inul is a vice advocator. Stop vice."

They opposed the performance of Inul, widely known as the drilling queen for her gyrating dance, which was due to be held in an open field at Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta.

After being received by the event committee, the demonstrators dispersed a few hours before Inul began her show at 4:15 p.m. without interruption.

The event marked the start of Inul's road show, scheduled to be held in five municipalities in Jakarta as part of the city's anniversary celebrations.

Inul has drawn controversy nationwide, as the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) banned her from performing in public. Rhoma Irama, known as the dangdut king, together with his singer colleagues, have forbidden Inul from singing their songs. --Antara