Indonesia’s conservative wrath, scams take centre stage ahead of Coldplay gig

Name: Indonesian island plays host to Asean, hoping for tourism boom
Uploaded: 2023-05-24T02:30:10.000Z
Duration: 2 min 36 s
Description: Indonesian island plays host to Asean, hoping for tourism boom

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

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Chris Martin of British band Coldplay performs in Portugal on May 17, 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE

SCMP’s Asia desk

Published: 10:30am, 24 May 2023

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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Indonesian island plays host to Asean, hoping for tourism boom

“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.