Gwen Stefani's Kuala Lumpur cover up

Aug 3, 2007, 11:30 GMT

Gwen Stefani (2-R) performs in Bogota, Colombia on 21 July 2007. EPA/RAFA SALAFRANCA

Gwen Stefani has agreed to cover up for her Malaysian show.

The singer, who is due to perform in Kuala Lumpur's Stadium Putra on August 21, won't wear any revealing costumes after Muslim groups branded her "indecent" and "obscene".

Mobile phone company Maxis Communications, who is sponsoring the show, said: "Gwen Stefani will abide by the Malaysian authorities' guidelines to ensure that her show will not be offensive to local sensitivities."

Rozalita Abdul Rahman, Maxis Communications' general manager of media, research and events, revealed Gwen was warned she must respect Muslim beliefs.

He said: "Maxis Communications respects the values and conventions of this country. Whether it concerns the singer's attire or the security for the concert, we will abide by the rules and guidelines and assure that nothing will go wrong.

"All foreign artists need to understand our culture and at the same time, as for Malaysians, we also need to have an open mind on such matters."

Earlier this week, the National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students called for the concert to be scrapped because they claimed Gwen's image offends Islamic beliefs.

Malaysia's Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry officers are set to attend the concert to ensure the country's cultural ethics code is respected.

Female artists must be covered from the top of their chests to their knees and can't wear clothes featuring offensive messages or images referring to sex or drugs.

They are banned from shouting, hugging or kissing during their performance and must not throw anything into the audience.

Last year, a music promoter was reportedly fined $3,200 because a Pussycat Dolls concert was deemed too racy.

(C) BANG Media International