Waytha: Govt wants us to join all festivities, will hold meetings to allay confusion
PUCHONG: The government encourages Malaysians to participate in all multicultural celebrations held anywhere, including schools.
In a statement yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister Department P Waytha Moorthy the decision was made in a Cabinet meeting, chaired by prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“Malaysia is a multicultural country and based on the Rukun Negara tenets, we must celebrate all festivities without prejudice to promote unity,” he said.
Two days ago, the media spotted a circular issued by the Education Ministry, barring Muslims from participating in the Ponggal celebration.
The ministry had said that even stirring the earthen pot for Ponggal is deemed haram, based on their consultation with officials from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim)
However, the directive received brickbats from various quarters. Unable to stand the heat, both the Education Ministry and Jakim blamed each other for the circular.
This came just after SMK Pusat Bandar Puchong 1 was forced to remove its Chinese New Year celebration decorations after getting threatened by Parti Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia leader Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz.
Waytha Moorthy said that the Rukun Negara tenets speak volumes about liberal approach on promoting Malaysia’s various traditions and culture.
On related matter, Waytha Moorthy said that he would organise a meeting with Islamic and non-Islamic bodies to create a better understanding on the differences between cultural and religious festivities.
“The meeting, which will be joined by fellow minister Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa, will help explain to these organisations on Malaysia’s various cultural and religious celebrations,” he said.
By Irman Hashim
