The Star suspends two editors over Erykah Badu row

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Datuk Seri Rais Yatim said the cancellation of Erykah Badu’s (left) show was due to a photograph that appeared in the newspaper. — Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 29 — English daily The Star today suspended two senior editors responsible for approving the publication of a picture showing singer Erykah Badu sporting tattoos deemed insensitive to the Muslim community.

A source from the newspaper confirmed with The Malaysian Insider tonight that the duo, Star2 senior editor Lim Cheng Hoe and deputy editor for features Daryl Goh, have been suspended indefinitely.

The source added that with immediate effect, the paper has also appointed associate editors Rozaid Rahman and Shah Dadameah to “assist and guide” the newspaper on issues of Muslim sensitivities.

On the show cause letter sent yesterday over the publication of the photo, the source said the paper would respond soon.

On Monday, three top editors from The Star were hauled up by the Home Ministry over the publication of a photograph of the American singer.

The daily had published a photograph of Badu with two tattoos with the Arabic word for ‘Allah’, or God, in a profile piece in the Star2 entertainment section.

Some Muslim groups have said Badu is not a good role model for young Malaysians because of the tattoos.

AP reported that an information ministry official said a government committee decided today to ban the concert because Badu has “offended the religious sensitivities” of Muslims by posing with such tattoos.

The Star published an apology yesterday.

Concert promoters today confirmed the cancellation of Badu’s show scheduled for tonight following minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim’s announcement in a Twitter posting yesterday.

The Umno minister had explained that that the decision was made after the offending photograph appeared in The Star.

The decision has been backed by leaders of Islamist party PAS who last year railed against pop icon Elton John’s concert, accusing the openly gay singer of “hedonism” and claiming his same-sex marriage would have a negative affect on Muslim-majority Malaysia.

Info : News