KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — International artist Ke$ha claimed via Twitter that she was threatened with imprisonment if she went ahead with her Warrior Tour concert which was scheduled for today at Stadium Negara, a news report said.
“To be clear. I did not cancel. I was not allowed to play. And then I was going to play anyways and was threatened with imprisonment,” claimed the singer on Twitter.
Head of PR for Livescape, Jason Kong, said Ke$ha consulted 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 was quoted as saying by the Star online portal.
Ke$ha, who arrived at 6.40pm yesterday, was visibly upset and saddened when told of the cancellation of her concert.
Kong said the organiser is currently working on refunds to fans who have purchased tickets, the report said.
“We have been clear that even if you have travelled to KL specially for the concert and have proof of (travel) ticket, we will also refund that,” he said.
When asked why Livescape sold tickets despite not receiving approval from the Foreign Artists’ Film Screening and Performance central agency (Puspal), Kong said Livescape had “valid reasons” for doing so and would issue an explanation on the matter soon.
“For full disclosure, our application was submitted on September 10, 2013. The official letter rejecting our application was only sent to us at 11:24am Friday alongside two backdated letters rejecting our application dated October 1 and October 18.
“As of the time this statement was written, we have yet to receive an official explanation on the reasons for the cancellation of the Ke$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, the 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”.
