Penang council to issue
Songkran festival
organiser show-cause letter
Deputy chief minister Mohamad Abdul Hamid says the event organiser possessed a valid entertainment licence but had breached its conditions.
Mohamad confirmed that the event organiser possessed a valid entertainment licence but it had breached the stipulated conditions, Sinar Harian reported.
“Follow-up action is currently being taken against the organiser.
“MBPP will take appropriate action, including issuing a show-cause letter for its failure to adhere to the licence conditions,” he said in a statement.
Earlier today, Penang mufti Sukki Othman urged the authorities to take stern action after several women danced half-naked during a performance at the festival.
Bernama reported that the festival was held just 50m from a mosque and sparked widespread outrage after a video of the performance went viral on social media.
Sukki said the performance tarnished the image of the popular tourist destination and violated the religious sensitivities and cultural values of Malaysia, a nation guided by Islamic principles.
Ismail Din, the chairman of the Ar-Rahman mosque in Batu Ferringhi, also condemned the event, saying the mosque had not been informed about the Songkran celebration and only became aware of it after the video went viral.
Mohamad, who heads the Penang Islamic religious council, said his views were aligned with the Penang mufti’s statement, which stressed that Muslims were prohibited from participating in Songkran celebrations, whether directly or indirectly.
Timur Laut police chief Rozak Muhammad earlier said no permit had been issued for the event, which took place last Saturday and Sunday from 4pm until late evening, with tickets priced between RM60 and RM120.