This is a cropped version of the photo that was published by The Star. Pix: nursamad.blogspot.comKUALA LUMPUR: A local concert organiser and promoter is suing leading English daily The Star for a whopping RM697,568 in damages over the failed Erykah Badu concert which was supposed to take place in Kuala Lumpur in February this year.
Pineapple Concerts Sdn Bhd, which had in the past brought in stars such as Kanye West, Black Eyed Peas, Jamiroquai, Incubus and Simple Plan to perform in KL, have placed the blame on the newspaper for the controversy surrounding Badu, which eventually led to the cancellation of her concert.
In a Press statement, Pineapple Concerts said it had filed a suit on August 30 against Star Publications (M) Bhd for “breach of its duty of care to the former, in the publication of an article in conjunction with a planned concert by international jazz and R&B singer songwriter Erykah Badu in February 29, 2012.”
Pineapple Concerts is claiming general damages, special damages of RM547,568.00, loss of profits of RM150,000.00, interest and costs.
Recounting the lead-up to the incident, the company said that towards the end of 2011, Pineapple Concerts had succeeded in organising a concert in KL by Erykah Badu, and claimed that it had secured the necessary permits and licenses.
It stated that Erykah Badu and her entourage had already travelled to Malaysia and were ready to perform on the appointed date.
“On Feb 28, 2012, The Star published an article on Erykah Badu in conjunction with the concert. The article carried an image of Erykah Badu, in which her bare shoulders were adorned with body art in the form of calligraphy, some of which appeared to be associated with religious text.
“The publication of the photograph caused a public uproar which eventually led to the authorities withdrawing and cancelling all permits and licences for the concert,” read the statement.
Pineapple Concerts said as the cancellation occurred at the eleventh hour at which point all preparations were in place, the company was placed in the unfortunate position of having to bear the consequences of a cancelled concert including financial losses.
It claimed that the newspaper owed a duty of care in the publication of the article, in conjunction with the concert which was to be held the day after the publication.
“This included a duty not to not to publish anything that would affect, prejudice or be detrimental to the holding of the concert, as well as a duty to act responsibly in the publication of the photograph,” said the statement.
The publication of the photos triggered widespread outrage, and was further fuelled by PAS Youth who had protested against the upcoming concert.
Not long after, Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim announced the cancellation of the concert.
Pineapple Concerts had previously explained that the 'tattoo' was not real, but merely done for a photo shoot. Badu had claimed that her 'tattoos' were not meant to reflect any one religion, but as a symbol of 'world unity'.
The Star had issued an apology over the article and promptly suspended two staff members.
The singer, at a subsequent Press conference, said she bore no ill-feelings over the cancellation of her concert and said she understood the ministry's rationale for doing so.
Meanwhile, the statement said The Star will be filing its defence on or before October 19. The matter has been fixed for case management at the KL High Court on October 22.
- mD
