The Media Development Authority (MDA) has confirmed that it had advised a music festival's organiser not to have A-mei's Rainbow performed.

The Straits Times had broken the news here online on Wednesday that the Taiwanese diva had been prohibited from singing the track at the 2014 Spring Wave Music And Art Festival at Gardens by the Bay on June 7.

The song Rainbow is about gay relationships and A-mei is also regarded as a gay icon.

According to an MDA spokesperson, this was because Spring Wave was an outdoor event accessible by all members of the public.

"For indoor events, consumer advisories are used to allow consumers to make more informed media choices for themselves and their children. The nature of outdoor performances at public spaces, such as Spring Wave which was held at Gardens by the Bay, makes it difficult to do the same. Hence, organisers of these events should ensure that their performances are suitable for general audiences."

Overseas media reports noted that the singer was perplexed as she had previously performed the song at her gigs in Singapore.

Since the story first appeared on The Straits Times' website, it has been shared over 5,600 times via Facebook and attracted strong comments both against and for the ban.

User Ricohflex Pentax noted: "Great. Singapore authorities should impose boundaries on what is acceptable and what is not."

The majority of the reactions though were of dismay and disappointment.

User Grace Wee posted: "Oh yeah and songs about rape are perfectly okay to be played on national radio (Blurred Lines). Logic?" And user Mew Goh said: "Singapore - famous for all the wrong reasons again."