Yielding to and emboldening racial, religious bigots

 No News Is Bad News

Image for illustration only. For image info, go to https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2021/10/734862/say-no-racial-religious-bigotry (Say 'No' to racial, religious bigotry)

Yielding to and emboldening racial, religious bigots

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16, 2023: The organisers of a Songkran festival have yielded to the ridiculous protests of racial and religious bigots.

What business is it of the PAS Youth Council to object such festivals. Isn’t freedom of worship and religion guaranteed under the Federal Constitution?

Those who have planned or booked their holiday at the now so-called “Sahon Water Festival” should show their disgust by cancelling their holiday plan to the resort and go elsewhere.

Say NO to racial and religious bigotry that is threatening national unity and harmony.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on the controversy:

MALAYSIA

Perak resort drops ‘Songkran’ from festival name to avoid religious controversy

Management apologises for confusion after programme was slammed by local PAS Youth council

Updated 6 hours ago · Published on 16 Aug 2023 4:39PM

A view of Sahom Valley Resort, which is located in Kampar, Perak. – Sahom Valley Resort pic, August 16, 2023

KAMPAR – After receiving brickbats and criticism, organiser Sahom Valley Resort has decided to change the name of its Songkran Festival programme to Sahom Water Festival.

Sahom Valley Resort managing director Shariff Ali Jabad Ali said the decision to rebrand the programme scheduled for August 26 and 27 was made to avoid controversy and misunderstanding regarding the use of the name of the traditional Siam festival.

“The first programme organised in May was welcomed by almost 500 visitors and we hoped that the use of the word ‘Songkran’ this time would be able to attract more visitors, but it has become the subject of criticism by several quarters.

“So, in order to ease the community’s perception and respect all parties, the programme is rebranded as Water Festival because Songkran is a sensitive issue even though it was just a perception and we apologise for the confusion over the matter,” he said in a press conference today.

Shariff said the water festival should not be seen as a Siamese Songkran festival but only as a water activity for visitors.

“The organisers admitted a mistake for using the term ‘Songkran Festival’ in our announcement last week, but our intention was not to follow the same as the Songkran Festival, that was our own mistake as there was no intention to observe religious events or customs like in the neighbouring countries.

“We take note of the remarks and suggestions from all parties, especially the Tualang Sekah assemblyman’s office, including villagers who question why we use the term Songkran Festival and we admit our mistake,” he said.

He said that the programme’s purpose was to attract more tourists to the district, and therefore, improving the economy of the local population.

“We have many chalet operators in Sahom and we receive many visitors from within Perak including those who come from Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kedah.

“So, with the programme on August 26 and 27, we hope people will come to join the Water Festival while having fun with their families,” he added.

Earlier, the Kampar PAS Youth Council strongly protested the holding of the Songkran Festival which was said to be taking place at Sahom Valley Resort.

Its Youth chief Saiful Islam Abdul Rahman regretted the open announcement to the community by the organisers to attend the festival which clearly contradicts the principles of Islam. – Bernama, August 16, 2023