DEPUTY National Unity Minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal came to the defence of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad following the latter’s comments of Bon Odori and Oktoberfest.
The Bersatu Youth chief said that as a Muslim, the Rukun Negara has a principle of courtesy and morality [which covers] any disagreements on culture and religion, for instance Bon Odori or Oktoberfest, which is not indigenous and not part of the country’s original culture.
“If there is a difference (of opinion), and the minister (Idris) has expressed his views, I feel we have to respect each other’s views,” Wan Ahmad Fahysal told the Dewan Rakyat.
“It’s just that we don’t use the law to restrict the freedom of others to practise their culture, so I think it is not wrong for the religious affairs minister to say such things as a Muslim and someone who upholds the authority of religion.”
He was responding to a supplementary question from Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng who asked for the National Unity Ministry’s stance on Idris interfering in non-Muslim practices such as Bon Odori and Oktoberfest.
Last week, Idris said Oktoberfest – a German beer festival – should not be allowed in Malaysia, adding that all parties should respect the rules and laws of the country that is based on Islam as the religion of the federation.
This is because alcohol causes social problems since it is seen as being capable of affecting harmony, tranquility, and public security, he noted.
Previously, Idris had advised Muslims against attending the Japanese Bon Odori celebrations that was recently held in Shah Alam, saying that the festival contains elements similar to other religions and rituals that are not in line with Islam.
In related news, Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang raised the question if Idris’s position on Oktoberfest is the Government’s official position.
Lim also said he had given notice to ask Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob a ministerial question in Parliament tomorrow (Aug 4) on this matter, adding that the Prime Minister owes it to the people to cite when his Cabinet had taken the decision to officially oppose Oktoberfest in Malaysia. – Aug 3, 2022
