Akon: Blame it on me

• Akon concert postponed days before gig
• Chivas sponsorship said to be under review
• Akon concert moved to October 
  

Malaysia - It remains unclear as to what level of association Chivas will have with the Akon Freedom Beach '09 Concert when it plays on the newly set 24 October 2009 date following its postponement this week.

Yesterday, before organisers had announced the 2 July concert date was to be postponed, media reports had already indicated Datuk Mohammad Mohammad Daud, deputy secretary-general of the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry held a closed-door meeting to discuss concerns that a prominent liquor brand was the official sponsor for Akon, who is Muslim.

The same report went on to quote an unnamed source as the show promoter saying, "with the new date, we've managed to find a new sponsor."

"That was never said by us," Michael Chan, head of marketing communications for concert promoter Marctensia said.

Chan did confirm a meeting with Mohammed Daud took place but discussions on Akon's religion never took place. Chan declined to comment further on the matter and could not confirm whether Chivas would remain as a key sponsor for the rescheduled 24 October gig.

A source close to the situation told A+M the discussions mainly concerned whether the R&B artist Akon had been briefed on the rules and regulations foreign acts have to adhere to when they perform in Malaysia.

A check on the Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage website revealed several rules including ones for proper dress attire and regulations regarding alcohol and cigarette companies not being allowed to directly sponsor the artist.

At press time, further implications on the sponsorship were not available from Chivas or its public relations representative.

Meanwhile Chivas issued a statement to the press yesterday distancing itself from any involvement in the concert's postponement.

"The sole reason for the concert postponement is due to the artiste citing personal reasons and unforeseen circumstances relating to a family emergency," the statement said. 

"The artiste, organizers and partners remain fully-committed to the concert and the only change to arrangements in bringing Akon to Malaysia is the date of the concert, contrary to some misreporting of events by certain quarters and rumours in circulation."

Marctensia has also posted a video of Akon apologising for the late notice of concert's postponement although no specific reason is cited.

His scheduled concert in Manila on 4 July has also been postponed.