Denise Ho Denied Permission To Perform In Malaysia

The Hong Kong singer Denise Ho has been refused permission to perform in Malaysia. The openly-gay Canto-pop star, who has espoused pro-democracy causes and is blacklisted on the mainland, says it is due to her support for gay rights.

In a statement, Ho said it was with the deepest regret that she was cancelling her "Dear Self, Dear World" show in Kuala Lumpur on April 14. She said her concert organiser had told her on Tuesday that her application for a work visa - so she could perform - had been denied due her activism for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer community. But she said an official letter, received on Thursday from the Malaysian Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, remained ambiguous about the reason, saying only that a "number of issues needed to be addressed".

Ho expressed her disbelief at being penalised for being who she was, both as an entertainer and as a person. Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia.

It's not the first time that Denise Ho has come under pressure, apparently for her views. In 2016, Lancome cancelled a promotional event in Hong Kong involving Ho. It came a day after the French cosmestics giant was criticised by mainland state media, which described Ho as an advocate of Hong Kong and Tibetan independence.

Ho is still scheduled to perform elsewhere in Asia, including Taiwan and Singapore.