Erykah Badu has been banned from performing a concert in Malaysia after officials reportedly objected to a photograph of the singer sporting religious body art.

The R&B star arrived in the Asian country this weekend ahead of a performance in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, and a local newspaper ran a promotional photograph of the star with a number of Arabic and Hebrew symbols painted on her chest.

The picture caused outrage among notoriously conservative government officials, who have now forbidden the singer to take to the stage, according to the Associated Press.

Badu can reportedly remain in the country as a tourist, but her show at the KLCC Plenary Hall is not allowed to go ahead.

Razman Razali, boss of the Malaysian company behind the gig, Pineapple Concerts, has confirmed he is in talks with government officials in a bid to have the ruling overturned, and he reveals the singer is "worried and dismayed" about the dispute.

Other stars have previously run into trouble over gigs in Malaysia, including Rihanna and Black Eyed Peas star Fergie, who were ordered to cover up and tone down their raunchy routines, and Beyonce cancelled shows in the country in 2007 and 2009 after reportedly falling foul of Malaysia's conservative Muslim groups.