Singer Ke$ha claims jail threat if she performed in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: International artist Ke$ha claimed she was threatened with imprisonment if she went ahead with her Warrior Tour concert in Stadium Negara Saturday.

“To be clear. I did not cancel. I was not allowed to play. And then I was going to play anyways and was threatened with imprisonment,” claimed the singer on Twitter.

According to head of PR for Livescape Jason Kong, Ke$ha did consult the organiser on what would happen if she went ahead with the show.

“We advised her against it because the authorities would shut down the show.

“I don’t know where the imprisonment (part) came from. I don’t think anyone from the Government was in touch with her. I think it was a tweet of frustration (from her),” Kong said.

Ke$ha, who arrived at 6.40pm Friday evening, was visibly upset and saddened when told of the cancellation of her concert.

Kong said the organiser is currently working on refunds to fans who have purchased tickets.

“We have been clear that even if you have travelled to KL specially for the concert and have proof of (travel) ticket, we will also refund that," he said.

When asked why Livescape sold tickets despite not receiving approval from the Foreign Artists’ Film Screening and Performance central agency (Puspal), Kong said Livescape had “valid reasons” for doing so and would issue an explanation on the matter soon.

It was reported that organisers were forced to cancel the event at Stadium Negara after Puspal denied its application.

“For full disclosure, our application was submitted on Sept 10, 2013. The official letter rejecting our application was only sent to us at 11:24am Friday alongside two backdated letters rejecting our application dated Oct 1 and Oct 18.

“As of the time this statement was written, we have yet to receive an official explanation on the reasons for the cancellation of the Ke$ha Warrior Tour.

“Livescape would like to go on record to state that we have always adhered to all guidelines set forth by Puspal,” it said, adding that the decision had caused organisers to lose “RM1.1mil overnight”.

Meanwhile, Communications and Multimedia Ministry spokesperson declined to comment on the artist;s tweet but said that a Puspal board meeting unanimously decided to cancel the singer’s concert because it “touched on religious sensitivities and Malaysian values”.