Penang police chief Ayub Yaakob yesterday assured that Chinese opera shows are not banned but advised organisers to 'lower' the volume of the music during Muslim prayer times.
The cultural shows, which are scheduled for three days, coincide with the month of Ramadan, which began on Monday.
Upon hearing allegations that two stage performances in Jalan Ah Quee and Sek Chuan were halted by police, Ayub said he had contacted his men and found the allegations to be untrue.
Ayub (right) said George Town OCPD Gan Kon Meng had informed him that police advised the organisers lower the volume of the music during prayer times, which the latter agreed to comply.
The police had acted upon receiving complaints from the mosque committee.
"There is no ban, they are allowed to perform, don't panic," Gan toldMalaysiakini.
"There were complaints, even last year, that the music was too loud, but we have talked to the organisers, and the problem is solved. I really do not want this issue to be blown up unnecessarily," he stressed.
Chinese opera shows too close to mosque
In an unexpected move yesterday, police had reportedly halted two Chinese opera shows in the heart of George Town, claiming they were too close to the main mosque in the area.
According to Penang exco member Chow Kon Yeow, who was at the scene of the incident, police stopped the performances because it was being held too near to Masjid Kapitan Keling along Pitt Street.
"I do not understand why the police had done this as the MPPP had issued licences for the performances," Chow said.
"I have contacted the CPO and he told me there was no directive to ban the shows. The organisers, however, are afraid that their musical instruments would be seized by police."
Dubbed 'Harmony Street', the area boasts of three main communities - Malays, Chinese and Indians - living together for generations.
The area houses the George Town Heritage site, where the historic St George's Anglican Church, Pitt Street Chinese Goddess of Mercy temple and the Sri MahaMariamman Hindu temple are located.
Last year, a group of Muslim NGOs expressed their dissatisfaction that 'ge tai' performances were being held, which were creating too much noise during prayer times.
Trash out our differences amicably
Meanwhile, State Gerakan Youth chief Oh Tong Keong said he had negotiated with the police, who finally allowed the performances to proceed, with the advice to decrease the volume of the public announcement system.
Oh said he heard about the incident and rushed to the venue, which is behind the mosque, around 5.30pm.
"I learnt that it was the mosque's leader who lodged the complain to the state Muslim religious affairs department," he said.
"Later, the message was reportedly conveyed to CPO and the police came to tell the organiser not to proceed tonight," he added.
Ayub advised all sides to sit and thrash out their differences instead of blaming one another when such problems arise.
He said he would often contact and discuss matters with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng so that such issues would not be blown out of proportion.
"We can fight in the meeting, but at least, in the eyes of the rakyat, we must be seen to resolve our problems," he said.
"Of course, we cannot satisfy everyone, but at least, we can come to some sort of agreement... after all, we are all working for the rakyat." - Malaysiakini
The cultural shows, which are scheduled for three days, coincide with the month of Ramadan, which began on Monday.
Upon hearing allegations that two stage performances in Jalan Ah Quee and Sek Chuan were halted by police, Ayub said he had contacted his men and found the allegations to be untrue.
Ayub (right) said George Town OCPD Gan Kon Meng had informed him that police advised the organisers lower the volume of the music during prayer times, which the latter agreed to comply.The police had acted upon receiving complaints from the mosque committee.
"There is no ban, they are allowed to perform, don't panic," Gan toldMalaysiakini.
"There were complaints, even last year, that the music was too loud, but we have talked to the organisers, and the problem is solved. I really do not want this issue to be blown up unnecessarily," he stressed.
Chinese opera shows too close to mosque
In an unexpected move yesterday, police had reportedly halted two Chinese opera shows in the heart of George Town, claiming they were too close to the main mosque in the area.
According to Penang exco member Chow Kon Yeow, who was at the scene of the incident, police stopped the performances because it was being held too near to Masjid Kapitan Keling along Pitt Street.
"I do not understand why the police had done this as the MPPP had issued licences for the performances," Chow said.
"I have contacted the CPO and he told me there was no directive to ban the shows. The organisers, however, are afraid that their musical instruments would be seized by police."Dubbed 'Harmony Street', the area boasts of three main communities - Malays, Chinese and Indians - living together for generations.
The area houses the George Town Heritage site, where the historic St George's Anglican Church, Pitt Street Chinese Goddess of Mercy temple and the Sri MahaMariamman Hindu temple are located.
Last year, a group of Muslim NGOs expressed their dissatisfaction that 'ge tai' performances were being held, which were creating too much noise during prayer times.
Trash out our differences amicably
Meanwhile, State Gerakan Youth chief Oh Tong Keong said he had negotiated with the police, who finally allowed the performances to proceed, with the advice to decrease the volume of the public announcement system.
Oh said he heard about the incident and rushed to the venue, which is behind the mosque, around 5.30pm.
"I learnt that it was the mosque's leader who lodged the complain to the state Muslim religious affairs department," he said.
"Later, the message was reportedly conveyed to CPO and the police came to tell the organiser not to proceed tonight," he added.
Ayub advised all sides to sit and thrash out their differences instead of blaming one another when such problems arise.
He said he would often contact and discuss matters with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng so that such issues would not be blown out of proportion.
"We can fight in the meeting, but at least, in the eyes of the rakyat, we must be seen to resolve our problems," he said.
"Of course, we cannot satisfy everyone, but at least, we can come to some sort of agreement... after all, we are all working for the rakyat." - Malaysiakini
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