PKR man hits out at preacher Ridhuan Tee over Hungry Ghost banner

 Lembah Jaya assemblyman Syed Ahmad Abdul Rahman Alhadad says cultural differences should not be turned into a source of racial tension.

PKR assemblyman Syed Ahmad Abdul Rahman Alhadad said the issue of the Hungry Ghost festival banner should not be blown out of proportion, after preacher Ridhuan Tee Abdullah questioned why it is entirely in Chinese. (Threads pic)

PETALING JAYA:

A PKR assemblyman has hit out at preacher Ridhuan Tee Abdullah for questioning the use of Chinese-language banners for the Hungry Ghost festival in Ampang.

Syed Ahmad Abdul Rahman Alhadad, better known as rapper Altimet, said cultural differences should not be used to spark racial tension.

He said the Hungry Ghost festival was part of the traditions and culture of the Chinese community, involving remembrance of ancestors, respect for previous generations, as well as acts of charity and offerings to those believed to have no family or descendants to commemorate them.

“Although its name is literally translated as ‘Hungry Ghost’, the values contained in this tradition also emphasise compassion, sincerity, generosity, and remembrance of those who have passed away,” the Lembah Jaya assemblyman said in a statement.

Ridhuan had questioned the presence of Chinese-language flags and banners at an intersection at Taman Kosas in Ampang.

He had asked: “These flags and banners are entirely in Chinese at the Taman Kosas intersection, Ampang. Is this China? Where is the status of the national language? Is MPAJ (Ampang Jaya municipal council) monitoring this? Freedom of religion is indeed guaranteed, but the country’s agenda must be respected”.

Syed Ahmad said the language used on a banner should be viewed in the context and purpose of the communication, particularly if it was aimed specifically at a particular community.

“If a banner is specifically intended for a particular community, the use of that community’s language is not extraordinary,” he said.

However, he said banners or promotional materials displayed in public spaces and subject to local authority regulations must comply with guidelines on the use of Bahasa Melayu.

“In this matter, we do not need to blow the issue out of proportion until it causes racial conflict,” he said.

Syed Ahmad, who is also the PKR Ampang division chief, said he would discuss the matter with the municipal council.

“My principle is clear … Bahasa Melayu as the national language must be respected, and at the same time, every community’s right to practise its customs, culture and celebrations must also be respected. This is the Malaysian spirit,” he said.

He urged Ridhuan not to use cultural issues to create suspicion or tension among communities.

“If there is non-compliance with the local authority’s guidelines, we correct it. If there are shortcomings with the banner, we improve it. Not everything needs to be turned into a racial conflict.

“Malaysia needs more people who solve problems, not people who magnify differences for attention and social media traffic.

“Let us not destroy the harmony built by society over decades because of a single banner,” he said. - FMT