Mafoot Simon, Tasikmalaya – The singer gyrated on stage in a red, body-hugging outfit with a plunging neckline as she belted out an upbeat version of Killing Me Softly. It was Valentine's Night at a hotel coffee house and singers like her would have been a common sight at clubs in Indonesian cities that night.

But this was Tasikmalaya, also known as the City of a Thousand Pesantren (religious schools), an eight-hour drive from the country's capital. Most see it as becoming West Java's pre-eminent Islamic city and progressive agricultural-based regency by 2010.

Its biggest landmark is a grand mosque called Masjid Agung. The Straits Times understands it is also a city that rejected an application for a performance by hot dangdut singer Inul Daratista, who is famous for her antics on stage.

Regent Tatang P Hakim lauded that decision during a recent speech at a Quran-reading competition. Mr Tatang, who is the leader of the Islamic United Development Party (PPP), had singled out the singer as a negative influence on Indonesia's Muslim community.

Still, the Valentine Night show revealed one of the glaring contradictions in this city – it was packed.

More than 200 guests, including members of local parliament, senior officials and members, had come from as far as Central Java, said organiser Ella Renzie. Two women wearing tudung were among the guests and there were also young children present.

A group which simply called itself Red organised the event. And not only did the sexy singer in red wiggle her hips but the drinks which flowed freely included one of Indonesia's most popular beers.

Indonesian ulama (religious leaders) discourage such celebrations because of their religious connotations alone – Saint Valentine, for example, was a Catholic. That did not stop Ms Ella, who is in her 40s.

Elsewhere in the city are karaoke lounges and night clubs with live bands which stay open until 10pm or so. The Valentine Night at the hotel ended at midnight. Perhaps, as Ms Ella put it, people need entertainment and she was merely fulfilling that need.

The city's leadership apparently has no problem with that. Mr Didin Badrudin, secretary of the PPP, said: "We merely want to preserve the Islamic culture, not to introduce Islamic laws. And there will be no force. We will let the people decide." As such, the Red group got the green light.