The annual Johor Chingay procession, which was declared a national cultural heritage last year has stirred a hornets' nest for banning participants from wearing Bersih and anti-Lynas T-shirts for the parade this year.
The Chingay, better known as the Parade of Deities, is organised by the historic Johor Baru Old Chinese Temple annually, and this year’s on February 27.
Temple committee chairperson Lim Kang Yong at a press conference yesterday declared the ban, drawing widespread criticism from netizens and sparking a hot debate particularly among the Johor Chinese community.
When contacted today, Lim defended the move saying the committee does not wish for anyone to sabotage or advertise their demands during the festive parade.
“If anyone is found wearing shirts that do not belong to the Chingay team, we will ask them to leave. If they don’t we will seek help from the police,” he said.
The Chingay, better known as the Parade of Deities, is organised by the historic Johor Baru Old Chinese Temple annually, and this year’s on February 27.
Temple committee chairperson Lim Kang Yong at a press conference yesterday declared the ban, drawing widespread criticism from netizens and sparking a hot debate particularly among the Johor Chinese community.
When contacted today, Lim defended the move saying the committee does not wish for anyone to sabotage or advertise their demands during the festive parade.
“If anyone is found wearing shirts that do not belong to the Chingay team, we will ask them to leave. If they don’t we will seek help from the police,” he said.
He said though the dressing guideline is only for the parade team, the organiser hopes that people who wish to attend the event can also follow the advice.
“Last year we also received information that a group of participants wanted to wear the shirts, but we managed to persuade them not to do so through a special channel.
“This is only a parade of deities, we should avoid any political elements,” he said.
Labelling the internet critics as ‘Pakatan cybertroopers’, he said he is unperturbed by the negative comments.
“We don't want anyone to sabotage our parade or come here to advertise,” he added.
BN politicians invited for launching
Located at downtown Johor Baru and flanked by modern skyscrapers, the old temple is a place of worship and a symbol of unity among five Chinese dialect groups namely Teochew, Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka and Hainan.
It is managed by the Federation of Johor Chinese Associations, which is an umbrella body of Johor Chinese NGOs and often deemed as a group that is sympathetic to the BN government.
In the press conference yesterday, the NGO has announced that the parade will be launched by Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman(right), MCA president Chua Soi Lek, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Chai Xi and representatives from the Tourism Ministry.
Asked why the temple is inviting politicians to officially open the event since it wants to avoid political elements, Lim replied, “Is there anything wrong?”
He explained that the invitation to Chua is to show appreciation as the latter had helped the chingay to obtain national cultural heritage status.
As for the MB, he said it is because they will launch the programmes for the 2014 Visit Malaysia Year during the event.
“There is nothing wrong in inviting politicians, we will also invite the Pakatan representatives if they become Johor exco members,” he said, adding that the opposition can also attend the function if they wish to.
'The ban is laughable and sad'
However, he said Pakatan leaders can only enjoy the programme without having the chance to speak on stage.
Commenting on this, Bersih steering committee member Wong Chin Huat questioned the organiser for the double standards applied to the rakyat and BN politicians.
"Why do you allow the politicians to talk politics while banning the rakyat from wearing the shirts?" he asked.
He said it is the people’s right to decide what to wear and the temple cannot stop them.
Himpunan Hijau chairperson Wong Tack said although he has no clue about the organiser’s background, the ban is "laughable and sad".
“Apparently the green power has given such pressure to certain people, I appreciate the recognition,” he said.
“Last year we also received information that a group of participants wanted to wear the shirts, but we managed to persuade them not to do so through a special channel.
“This is only a parade of deities, we should avoid any political elements,” he said.
Labelling the internet critics as ‘Pakatan cybertroopers’, he said he is unperturbed by the negative comments.
“We don't want anyone to sabotage our parade or come here to advertise,” he added.
BN politicians invited for launching
Located at downtown Johor Baru and flanked by modern skyscrapers, the old temple is a place of worship and a symbol of unity among five Chinese dialect groups namely Teochew, Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka and Hainan.
It is managed by the Federation of Johor Chinese Associations, which is an umbrella body of Johor Chinese NGOs and often deemed as a group that is sympathetic to the BN government.
In the press conference yesterday, the NGO has announced that the parade will be launched by Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman(right), MCA president Chua Soi Lek, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Chai Xi and representatives from the Tourism Ministry.Asked why the temple is inviting politicians to officially open the event since it wants to avoid political elements, Lim replied, “Is there anything wrong?”
He explained that the invitation to Chua is to show appreciation as the latter had helped the chingay to obtain national cultural heritage status.
As for the MB, he said it is because they will launch the programmes for the 2014 Visit Malaysia Year during the event.
“There is nothing wrong in inviting politicians, we will also invite the Pakatan representatives if they become Johor exco members,” he said, adding that the opposition can also attend the function if they wish to.
'The ban is laughable and sad'
However, he said Pakatan leaders can only enjoy the programme without having the chance to speak on stage.
Commenting on this, Bersih steering committee member Wong Chin Huat questioned the organiser for the double standards applied to the rakyat and BN politicians.
"Why do you allow the politicians to talk politics while banning the rakyat from wearing the shirts?" he asked.
He said it is the people’s right to decide what to wear and the temple cannot stop them.
Himpunan Hijau chairperson Wong Tack said although he has no clue about the organiser’s background, the ban is "laughable and sad".
“Apparently the green power has given such pressure to certain people, I appreciate the recognition,” he said.
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