Chinese temple performance in open area, so non-Muslim exemption does not apply, says T’ganu exco rep

PETALING JAYA: The Terengganu government has never barred any parties from conducting cultural, heritage or religious performances, provided they follow the existing guidelines, says Datuk Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah.

The state local government and health committee chairman said male and female non-Muslim performers were allowed, but it has to be in a closed area.

“The exsiting guidelines on entertainment in the state only allow cultural singing and dances involving female artistes with female spectators.

“However, an exemption is given for the perfomance of non-Muslim male and female artistes,” Wan Sukairi said in a Facebook post Monday (Aug 5).

He said the song and traditional dance performance organised by members of the Guan Di temple involved male and female performers in open spaces of the temple where passers-by could see the performance.

“As such, these performances are not confined to non-Muslims only and it comes under the general guidelines which bar the performance of female artistes for male spectators,” he said.

Earlier, Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau said the Kuala Terengganu City Council’s (KTCC) ban on female singers performing on stage was only applicable to Muslims, and said he had contacted the Terengganu PAS executive councillor for clarification.

This came following news report that KTCC had directed the Guan Di Temple to halt any performance of female artistes which was to be held between July 29 and Aug 2.

Commenting further, Wan Sukairi said it was a general guideline and not to discriminate any parties.

He said an application from the Guan Di Temple Association was received by the council on June 20.

“The council approved the application on the basis that the existing guidelines were followed by the temple for the singing and cultural dances which come under the state entertainment guidelines,” added Wan Sukairi.