Lady Gaga gagged as Indonesia cancels gig

Protesters hold up anti-Gaga posters during a Muslim rally against her concert in Jakarta (Reuters)

Police have refused a permit for Lady Gaga to perform in the Indonesian capital next month, bowing to pressure from Islamic groups who voiced strong objections to her "vulgar" style.

Salim Alatas, the Jakarta head of the Islamic Defender Front (FPI), said: "This is dangerous. She's a vulgar singer who wears only panties and a bra when she sings and she stated she is the envoy of the devil's child and that she will spread satanic teaching."

More than 30,000 tickets had been sold for the concert that had been due to take place on 3 June, said the Jakarta Post. But a police spokesman said the gig would have to be cancelled. Indonesia, a secular state, has the world's largest population of Muslims.