BUKIT Bendera MP, Syerleena Abdul Rashid today said the Songkran event in Penang is not an affront to Islam or to any religion, but a cultural festivity that contributes to tourism, supports local economy, and brings communities together.
“It has never posed a problem in the past, and it should not suddenly be painted as controversial now, unless the controversy is politically manufactured.
“Penang PAS decision to label the Songkran festival as “indecent” isn’t just misplaced, but deeply irresponsible and politically transparent,” she said.
As a Muslim and the elected Member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera - where the Songkran Music Festival is slated to be held, Syerleen said she found it necessary to speak up against Penang PAS’s sudden urge to “protect public morality” by banning a long-standing cultural celebration.
“Penang has long stood as a beacon of multicultural harmony, where diverse traditions are not just acknowledged but celebrated.
“The Songkran festival, rooted in Thai and Siamese heritage, has been an integral part of our local festivities for decades.
“Historically, this event has been observed with joy and camaraderie, devoid of any incidents that would warrant concern,” she noted. Notably, temples such as Wat Chayamangkalaram and Wat Buppharam, both located in Pulau Tikus, a state constituency within Parliament Bukit Bendera have been central to these celebrations, drawing participants from various backgrounds who come together in the true Malaysian spirit of unity.
Yesterday, Penang PAS Information Chief, Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan said the party wanted the national unity state government to disapprove the public permit for the proposed two-day Songkran (Thai New Year) concert for this weekend.
“From our standpoint, such activities and public performances are unsuitable for the conservative society in Malaysia, said Penang PAS Information head Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan.
“We urge the relevant authorities, the state government, and the Penang Island City Council to disallow this event and to monitor and prevent other programmes that fail to meet proper standards, especially those that contain immoral elements,” he said in a statement.
The event, called the “Sonic Splash Songkran Music Beach Party”, is expected to be held from 4pm onwards on April 12 and 13 at a beach club along the Ferringhi tourism belt.
Syerleena said Songkran has been celebrated peacefully in Penang for decades, embraced by the Thai and Siamese communities, and enjoyed by Penangites of all backgrounds. “There has never been a question of morality -only of culture, tradition, and togetherness.
“What’s especially concerning is the glaring contradiction from PAS itself.
“While Penang PAS claims the moral high ground, their counterparts in Kedah - under the same party - recently supported and even promoted Songkran as part of the state’s tourism strategy,” she pointed out.
In April 2024, the Kedah state government proudly collaborated with local communities to host a state-level Songkran celebration, recognising its cultural and economic value.
To my fellow Muslims, I say this: “We do not strengthen our faith by suppressing the rights of others. We strengthen our faith by embodying the beauty, wisdom, and moderation that Islam teaches us.
“Islam calls on us to be just, compassionate, and to always speak truth to power. Misusing religion to gain political mileage at the expense of peaceful co-existence is a betrayal of these values,” she said.
She said Malaysia's strength lies in its diversity and our multicultural landscape is a testament to the beauty of different communities coexisting peacefully.
Targeting cultural celebrations like Songkran not only infringes upon the rights of our fellow citizens but also contradicts the very essence of what it means to be Malaysian, she added. – April 10, 2025
