KOTA KINABALU: More Sabah leaders are calling on the state government to give the go-ahead for American gospel singer Israel Houghton, to avoid damaging Sabah’s long-practised inter-faith harmony.
Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) president Tan Sri Anifah Aman and Sabah DAP vice chairman Datuk Chan Foong Hin said it was important that there were no issues with such performers coming to Sabah as the state never had any problem with such events.
Anifah said he was baffled that police reports were made over the organisation of the concert.
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"It is a surprise because Sabah has always been the land where tolerance is of utmost importance," he said in a statement on social media on Monday (Oct 5).
"Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and members of all religions can live harmoniously together.
"Therefore, seeing police reports made against the organisation of a Christian concert, by a Christian singer, for a Christian audience is truly baffling."
"I was made to understand that the singer has voiced his support for the political state of Israel on his social media before.
"However, I do recall a heavy metal group who also publicly supported... Israel performing in Bukit Jalil Stadium just last month.
"Why the double standard? Has religious intolerance begun to creep into our society?" he said.
Anifah said that when he was foreign minister previously, some athletes who took part in sporting events here were also supporters of Israel.
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He said the Malaysian government took a clear stance that they could come here as long as they respect local sensitivities and do not fly the Israeli flag.
Anifah said law enforcement authorities should ensure that Houghton complies with local laws and avoids provoking local sensitivities, and also take reasonable measures to prevent any provocation.
If so, he said, there should be no reason to prevent Houghton from performing in Sabah.
"He is not here to proselytise among Muslims as the event is clearly stated to be for Christians only," he said, adding that Christianity has many denominations and Houghton performs gospel music, the norm among many Protestant and Reformed denominations which also have a significant presence in Sabah.
"We never had a problem before this. We shouldn’t make this a problem now. Don’t bring politics of religious intolerance into Sabah," he added.
Chan, meanwhile, called on the state government to allow the planned gospel concert in Kota Kinabalu to proceed, provided the organisers comply with all relevant laws, regulations and security requirements.
The Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister said Sabah has long been recognised as a model of religious diversity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, with communities of different faiths living harmoniously together for generations.
He said any decision on the event should be guided by the principle that lawful religious activities should be permitted as long as organisers meet all legal and safety conditions imposed by the authorities.
"If there are genuine security concerns, they should be assessed professionally and addressed through appropriate security measures.
"Objections or the possibility of protests should not, by itself, become a veto over the lawful activities of another community.
"Defending religious freedom does not require us to agree with every statement or political position an invited artist may have expressed in the past," he said, adding that disagreement with an artist’s political views alone should not become grounds for restricting the religious rights of Sabahans.
He said authorities could impose transparent conditions relating to security, public safety and crowd management if necessary.
"Sabah should not have to choose between protecting religious freedom and public security. We can protect both," he added.
Earlier, Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Sabah Umno treasurer Datuk Seri Mohd Salleh Said Keruak, both former chief ministers, also urged the state government to give the go-ahead for the concert scheduled for later this month.
