Beyonce cancels KL show after criticism

Pop star Beyonce Knowles has postponed the Malaysian show she was scheduled to perform this Sunday, amid criticism from Islamic conservatives about the moral impact she would have on her audience. Beyonce has been traveling the world on her 'I am...' world tour, but pulled out of her October 25 date in Kuala Lumpur, just as she did in 2007 after a scheduling conflict.

This time, her event organisers have released a statement saying that "the postponement is solely the decision of the artiste and has nothing to do with other external reasons". They say that Beyonce will decide on a new date very shortly. However there is speculation that opposition from the opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) over her "Western sexy performances" was a contributing factor.

"We are not against entertainment, but it's the way she performs - her gyrating moves on stage and her sexy outfits. It will erode the moral values of our young people," PAS youth chief Nasruddin Hassan Tantawi told AFP.

Beyonce, who has been promoting her album I am... Sasha Fierce, appointed French designer Thierry Mugler to create her costumes for this tour. He has spoken of wanting to capture the "duality between being a woman and a warrior" with her stage wardrobe.

She is not the first act to provoke the disapproval of Malaysia's religious conservatives, who insist that female singers cover up from their shoulders to their knees on stage. A recent Black Eyed Peas performance was in jeopardy, and eventually went ahead with lead singer Fergie in uncharacteristically conservative costume. Previously, Gwen Stefani and April Lavigne have both faced calls for their concerts to be banned. In 2004, Mariah Carey staged a form of protest when she appeared on stage wearing a shirt and jeans. ·