Terengganu Pas government actions ridiculous, discriminating against non-Muslims

DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng called Terengganu executive councillor Datuk Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah ridiculous for claiming that Muslim male passersby could have seen female performers performing at Guan Di Temple, Terengganu.

“Wan’s justification is ridiculous because this is a temple event involving only non-Muslims.

“No Muslims have been invited to attend and no Muslims would attend on their own accord in a Pas controlled state that rigorously applied their strict moral code.

“Further this performance was conducted next to the temple that has organised such an event every year involving only non-Muslims without any unsavoury incident,” Lim said via a statement.

He added that non-Muslims will only feel discriminated against by Terengganu government action.

“Non-Muslims will not only feel discriminated against by the Terengganu Pas government but also that their fundamental constitutional right to freedom of religion has been infringed,” Lim said.

He said that non-Muslims are not only discriminated against but also denied their customary entertainment or traditional practices involving a religious festival.

“This infringes on the freedom of religion provision in Article 11 of the Federal Constitution which grants every person the right to profess and practise his or her religion,” he added.

Whilst no enforcement action has been taken to date, Pas has refused to relent from their harsh stance, Lim said

“In other words, these Pas regulations restricting entertainment in non-Muslim religious festivals are still in place.

“Malaysians, especially non-Muslims, are now forewarned that the extremist practices of Pas can also be imposed on non-Muslims,” said Lim.

The Kuala Terengganu City Council recently issued a directive prohibiting female singers from performing at the Guan Di Temple’s jubilee celebration, which took place from July 29 to August 2.

The Guan Di Saint’s Birthday Celebration, held honours Guan Di, also known as Guan Gong or Guan Yu, a highly revered figure in Chinese culture.

Celebrated as the God of War, Guan Di is esteemed for his loyalty, righteousness, and martial skill. The festival, typically observed in Taoist temples, features ceremonies, prayers, and offerings to honour his spirit and seek his blessings.