Indonesias Conservative Wrath, Scams Take Centre Stage Ahead Of Coldplay Gig
- Indonesian conservatives are concerned about LGBTQ-themed acts or messages in the gig supposed to revive the nation's pandemic-hit tourism sector
- Scalpers, scammers are also cashing in on desperation of local and foreign fans, offering top-tier tickets for five times more than the original price
A Jakarta concert featuring British rock band Coldplay has been caught up in a conservative storm as the government attempts to placate Islamists threatening to disrupt the event touted as the magic bullet that would turbocharge Indonesia's pandemic-battered tourism sector.
The Indonesian Ulema Council, the country's top Islamic clerical body, has asked organisers to ensure LGBTQ-themed acts or messages are not promoted during the November 15 show, while other Muslim groups had warned that the capital's airport would be blockaded if the show goes ahead.
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said his department would hold talks with the hardliners to explain them about the economic benefits of the performance, adding all suggestions would be "welcomed" to showcase Indonesia as a global travel destination.
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"We would like to hear the views from the Ulema to help us ensure that the concert takes place within the legal corridor," Sandiaga said on Monday.
He said the gig was part of the hundreds of entertainment events Indonesia was hosting this year, with the aim of generating about US$11 billion in revenue and more than 4 million jobs, the Tempo news website reported.
Though the minister remained upbeat about the concert's success, scammers and scalpers have cashed in on the desperation of both local fans and foreign tourists jostling for tickets.
Some online platforms were selling Coldplay top-tier tickets for 60 million rupiah (US$4,000), more than five times the original sale price of 11 million rupiah.
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Sandiaga warned fans not to fall for scams after the national police's Criminal Investigation Department received several complaints. He also urged them to avoid borrowing from online lenders as they risked going deep into debt.
"If you can't afford to watch it, don't force it. And maybe you can enjoy the concerts of local singers like Denny Caknan," Sandiaga said.
Police in Jakarta on Monday arrested a couple for selling fake Coldplay tickets online and defrauding more than 50 prospective concertgoers.
Similar scenes have also played out in neighbouring Malaysia where the band is set to perform on November 22 as part of its Music of the Spheres World Tour that includes gigs in Australia and Taiwan.
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A seller was offering tickets as high as 43,000 ringgit (US$9,400) each on an online marketplace, prompting the government to announce it would work on an anti-scalping law to rein in future black marketeers.
Meanwhile, Sandiaga said more than 90 per cent of hotels near the concert venue in Jakarta were fully booked.
He added the environmentally-conscious band, which uses renewable energy to power its shows among other initiatives to reduce carbon footprint, would be invited to sustainable tourism spots like Bali, Labuan and Likupang to boost their appeal.
"If I can convince Coldplay to promote Likupang, it will be remarkable," Sandiaga said, referring to the North Sulawesi city popular for its idyllic beaches.
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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.
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