Hip-Hop group N.E.R.D. canceled shows this weekend in Indonesia, after members were detained in Malaysia.
According to reports, N.E.R.D. had just finished a performance at the Sunburst KL International festival in Jakarta, when they attempted to head to neighboring Indonesia, to play another date.
Shortly after the show, the group was held by police for failing to get a permit from the government of the world’s most populated Muslim country, which has strict guidelines for performing.
“Following investigations, we found that the group did not receive permission from the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry to perform at the concert,” Immigration Director-General Datuk Mahmood Adam told local media. “After their statements were recorded, they were released with assurance from the concert organizer.”
The Associated Press reports that the promoter of the show failed to obtain the proper credentials from the Arts, Culture and Heritage Ministry, resulting in the group’s detention.
A host of local acts performed during the 12-hour concert, which featured a number of local acts, along side internationally known group like N.E.R.D., They Will Kill Us All, Korn and others.