JAKARTA. Church groups are urging the National Police to reverse their decision to deny a permit for US singer Lady Gaga’s upcoming concert in Jakarta, saying that it will hinder freedom of expression.

The Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI) rights commission secretary Benny Susetyo told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that the police bowed to pressure from hard-line groups such as the infamous Islam Defenders Front (FPI).

“This is dangerous for our democracy, because our law enforcers have surrendered to such brutal groups. The police should have good reasons to ban Gaga’s concert, not merely because of the groups’ pressure,” he said.

The Jakarta Police have also not issued a recommendation to the National Police to issue a permit for Gaga’s concert on June 3 at Bung Karno Main Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

While the police have claimed that the decision was made because Gaga “has been spreading pornography” that is not suitable for local audiences, other organizations such as the FPI have been denouncing the pop sensation.

Commenting on this, Benny said that the police should explain their decision transparently to the public.

“We need to have a non-judgmental attitude in assessing artistic performances. Besides, the freedom of expression is guaranteed within our Constitution,” he said.

The Communion of Indonesian Churches (PGI) chairman Andreas Yewangoe separately hit out over the decision, saying that members of Indonesia’s civil society should be trusted to judge art performances.

“If other parties act like they are the nation’s moral police all the time, Indonesians will not have a chance to grow up,” he said.

In late April, conservative Christian groups in South Korea staged a series of protests against Lady Gaga during her recent concert in Seoul, accusing her of advocating homosexuality and pornography, The Korea Herald has reported.

South Korean artists and critics, however, called for cultural tolerance among the conservative churches.

The Korea Media Rating Board gave an over-18 rating to the concert, saying her song Just Dance, to be performed at the concert, is “inappropriate” for minors. The singer indirectly criticized the Korean government’s move to enforce the age restriction. (The Jakarta Post)

Editor: Edy Can