GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government will continue to organise the Bon Odori Festival as scheduled on July 30, said state Tourism and Creative Economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
Yeoh said he admitted to being baffled after reading the statement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad yesterday regarding the Japanese cultural festival.
“It is quite surprising, because in my opinion, this programme does not involve any religious ritual.
“This program is an annual program that promotes friendship between Japan and Malaysia, while also generating an economy for hawkers,” he said when met at Komtar today.
He was commenting on Idris’ statement advising Muslims not to participate in the Bon Odori Festival, as the festival contains elements of other religions.
Idris said, based on a study done by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), found that the program had religious elements.
Yeoh said the Penang government won’t prevent the Muslim participants or visitors to join festival which is slated to be held at the Esplanade, here.
He added that the organising of the Bon Odori Festival in Penang this year was also more meaningful as it also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Look East Policy.
“It’s up to the people, because we will not be the ‘religious police’ and will not stop anyone who wants to participate in the festival.
“Also this year, we are targeting the attendance of more than 5,000 visitors to the Bon Odori Festival, because even before the Covid-19 pandemic, this event always gained a lot of attention.”
The Look East Policy is an economic policy launched by the former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on February 8, 1982.
The Bon Odori Festival, organised by the Japanese community in Malaysia, features Japanese cultural dance performances and is claimed to be related to ancestral ceremonies in Japanese Buddhist festivals. – The Vibes, June 7, 2022
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