by Josh Grossberg - E! Online
Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" is too provocative for the innocent ears of Malaysians.
So says the government of the southeast Asian nation, which has ordered radio stations to play an edited version of the hit gay anthem because its lyrical content is supposedly an affront to Malaysia's homespun conservative Muslim values (read: hetero).
So what exactly was so offensive?
The pop superstar's song, which is No. 1 on the Billboard charts for the fifth week in a row, has a refrain that goes: "No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian, transgendered life, I'm on the right track, baby."
But Little Monsters tuning in to radio stations in Malaysia instead hear a jumble of words impossible to make out due to the nation's cultural restrictions on anything promoting an LGBT lifestyle.
"The particular lyrics in 'Born This Way' may be considered as offensive when viewed against Malaysia's social and religious observances," said AMP Radio Networks, the country's top private radio operator, in a statement. "The issue of being gay, lesbian or [bisexual] is still considered as a 'taboo' by general Malaysians."
Lady Gaga has yet to speak out about the censorship, but we're guessing she's none too pleased (Exhibit A: her recent breakup with Target).
In any case, the singer isn't the first performer to run afoul of Malaysia's indecency laws.
Gaga's "Telephone" pal Beyoncé postponed a gig in the capital of Kuala Lumpur back in 2009 after Islamic critics objected to her bootylicious stage outfits and dance routines. And Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne and the Pussycat Dolls were also ordered to cover up their cleavage when they performed there.
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