THE Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIPP) has instructed the Thean Hock Keong Chinese temple association in Butterworth to cancel its planned Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house, declaring that the event falls within the scope of Muslim religious activities regulated by the Penang State Islamic Religious Council.
In a letter dated March 31, JHEAIPP director Datuk Marzuki Hassan informed the association that it was “not permitted” to organise the open house.
The directive followed a complaint lodged by Persatuan Anak Jati Melayu Negeri Pulau Pinang regarding the event.
“As the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri is one of the religious activities of the Muslim community, the Thean Hock Keong Association is therefore not permitted to organise an Open House Ceremony in conjunction with the said Hari Raya Aidilfitri,” Malay Mail reported the letter stating.
It added that “all Islamic religious activities, including any celebration related to Hari Raya Aidilfitri, are subject to the approval of the Penang State Islamic Religious Council.”
In a response dated April 5, the association’s secretary, Ng Choong Seong, expressed regret over the cancellation while clarifying the intended purpose of the programme.
Ng emphasised that the open house was designed “to foster unity, strengthen ties of friendship, and reinforce harmony among the local community,” and was not intended to provoke sensitivities.
Ng explained that the programme had been planned after consulting the Penang National Unity and Integration Department and engaging with local mosque leaders, surau leaders, and community representatives, who had all approved the initiative.
“All food served is fully halal and prepared by catering services owned by local residents, as a show of support for the local community,” he wrote.
The association noted that it had already agreed to amend its event poster following feedback from community leaders that the original title and venue were “somewhat inappropriate.”
Despite these adjustments, Ng confirmed that the association would respect JHEAIPP’s decision to cancel the programme.
Ng concluded by saying it was regrettable that a complaint had led to the termination of what he described as a “meaningful programme,” whose primary objective was to nurture unity and harmony within the local community. - April 8, 2026
