Jakarta – Former president and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri said on Thursday that the ongoing Lady Gaga controversy reflected the national culture's lack of character.

"If we had political sovereignty and a sense cultural character, people wouldn't make a fuss over things like this," Megawati said, as quoted by tempo.co.

She said strong leadership was needed to enforce the law and prevent the government from appeasing vociferous minority groups. "The state can't be coerced by mobs and thugs," Megawati said.

Over 50,000 tickets have been sold for Lady Gaga's scheduled June 3 concert at Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.

However, hard-line groups such as the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) have strongly opposed the US singer's presence in the country, urging the authorities to refuse her concert permits and threatening violence if she did come as planned. (png/iwa)