Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid said Penang PAS’s opposition was inconsistent with its Kedah counterpart’s support for Songkran as a tourism booster in the state.
“While Penang PAS claims the moral high ground, their counterparts in Kedah recently supported and even promoted Songkran as part of the state’s tourism strategy.
“It has never posed a problem in the past and it should not suddenly be painted as controversial now, unless the controversy is politically manufactured,” she said in a statement.
Songkran, commonly known as Thailand’s “water festival”, is the Thai new year celebration usually held from April 13 to 15.
Earlier today, Penang PAS information chief Fawwaz Jan urged the state government to ban a two-day Songkran music event organised by the Ferringhi Heart Beach Club Malaysia.
Fawwaz, the Permatang Pauh MP, claimed the event promoted activities that were “indecent” and undermined Islamic values. He said “hedonism that crosses cultural boundaries and disregards decorum” should be banned.
Based on a poster of the event, several DJs are expected to perform this weekend. Tickets are being sold for adults as well as children aged three and above.
Syerleena pointed out that in April last year, Kedah partnered with local communities to host a state-level Songkran celebration, in recognition of both its cultural and economic value.
Similarly, she said the Thai cultural festival had become an important part of Penang’s cultural and tourism calendar. She said the event had been enjoyed annually without incident and the question of morality had never arisen until now.
“This move (by PAS) is not about values. It’s about control.”
Syerleena urged fellow Muslims to reflect on the teachings of Islam, which promote moderation, compassion and justice, and said Malaysia’s strength was in its diversity and peaceful coexistence. - FMT
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