Sarawak’s Chinese federation condemns Terengganu ban on women performers

KUCHING (Aug 5): The Federation of Sri Aman and Betong Divisions Chinese Associations has condemned the Terengganu state government for its recent policy of prohibiting women artistes from staging public performances.

Its president Datuk Dr Ngu Piew Seng, who is also Simanggang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, said this prohibition infringes the principle of basic human rights.

“Not only is this move against the human rights but it also openly suppresses the freedom of culture among the non-Muslims.

“Malaysia is a multi-cultural and multi-religious country, and every citizen in this country reserves the right and freedom to any traditional culture and entertainment activity instead of being discriminated and suppressed,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The statement was issued in response to the Terengganu authorities having recently conducted a raid on a Chinese temple that was celebrating its deity’s birthday.

During the raid, women artistes who performed at the celebration were prohibited from entertaining the guests.

Ngu said such gesture from the Terengganu government was uncalled for because it represented a suppression to women artistes, not to mention that it was an interference and disrespect for the Chinese culture.

He claimed that similar extremism was escalating in the country, particularly in Peninsular Malaysia, fearing it could erode Malaysia’s multi-cultural foundation if not addressed effectively.

“If this is to continue, the basic rights and freedom of the non-Muslims could be at stake,” he cautioned.

Ngu wondered why the Terengganu authorities would want to interfere in a non-Muslim activity which was not attended by any Muslim.

“The performance was staged for the temple’s deity and the followers, and not for the Muslims, the local authorities and the state government there. So why the need to interfere? What was done is ludicrous and disrespectful of the non-Muslims,” he said.

According to him, the Terengganu state government, which had previously banned public performances by Muslim women, has now expanded this restriction to non-Muslim performers.

Stressing that this is unacceptable, he appealed to the Terengganu state government and the local authorities there to revert their decision and stop suppression against the non-Muslims.

“We must defend and uphold Malaysia’s core value of multiculturalism to ensure that every citizen enjoys the freedom to practice their culture and religion without discrimination or suppression,” he said.

Ngu said all state governments in the country must understand and respect the needs of all races instead of coming up with policies that would create division in the society.

“All political parties should work on fair policies that promote social peace and racial harmony as well as taking a firm stand on fighting unfairness and extremism,” he added.