Abang Johari criticizes Christmas cake prohibition

SELANGAU: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has criticised those who prohibit Christmas greetings on cakes, labelling such an action disruptive to national unity.

“Putting ‘Merry Christmas’ on a cake becomes a problem …. What is wrong with decorating a cake with the words ‘Merry Christmas’? It’s not ‘haram.’

“That becomes an issue, but not here in Sarawak, only in Malaya. We handle things the way they’re supposed to be handled here, and we shouldn’t follow them (Malaya).

“This was also the reason why Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) left the Barisan Nasional (BN) and made our own decisions,” he said.

He made these remarks during his speech at the launch of Selangau Riverfront and Selangau District Office yesterday.

Abang Johari, who is also the GPS chairman, reminded the people of Sarawak to continue safeguarding and maintaining unity so that the state can continue to progress and develop.

Recently, a bakery was accused of being racist for not allowing Christmas greetings on its cakes, solely for adhering to regulations set by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

The incident gained widespread attention on social media, with criticism directed at the discriminatory practices of the bakery chain.

The issue prompted the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, to state that there were no restrictions on celebration greetings on cakes.

Jakim then issued a statement on Facebook, clarifying that there were no restrictions for halal-certified bakeries to write any celebration greetings on their cakes or products.

The notice also referred to statements made in December 2020 and on November 1 of this year.