Terengganu: local Islamic party bans women's chanting at a Taoist temple
The Panmalese Islamic Party, better known by its acronym PAS, has ordered the Guan Di temple to stop performances by female singers. The decision has outraged the Buddhist and Taoist communities and several ethnic Chinese Catholic politicians. According to the Terengganu state government, the performances would attract spectators from the Muslim community.
Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) - The Kuala Terengganu City Council has ordered the Taoist Guan Di Temple to stop performances by female singers during a religious celebration held between July 29 and Aug. 2. Police officers conducted a raid on the temple, banning women from entertaining guests.
The Malaysian state of Terengganu is led by the Pan-Malay Islamic Party, better known by the acronym PAS. The decision has outraged the Buddhist and Taoist communities, but also several ethnic Chinese Catholic politicians who say the restrictions violate the constitutional right of religious freedom.
Teresa Kok, vice chairwoman of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), said the city council must clarify why women were banned from performing in Chinese temples. “I demand that the state government say whether this ban on female singers is a new policy and whether restrictions on entertainment programs now include non-Muslims, including Taoist and Buddhist temples,” she asked. “While PAS leaders had previously insisted that their religious laws and policies would not affect non-Muslims, this latest directive to the Guan Di temple shows that the party does not take seriously with the assurances it has given.” Calling it an unconstitutional and illegal ban, Kok urged the Terengganu government “to immediately revoke these orders and policies and respect the culture and values of non-Muslim communities,” he added.
Michael Kong, also a member of the Democratic Action Party, when asked by AsiaNews commented, “Malaysia has always prided itself on being a multiracial nation with a strong base of racial and religious tolerance. A key aspect of this tolerance is the principle of not imposing one's religious beliefs on others. By enacting these regulations, PAS is taking a direct and confrontational stance against the beliefs and freedom of choice of non-Muslims.”
“These new regulations could have far-reaching effects, particularly for Chinese artists who traditionally perform in temples within these areas. The implications go beyond just entertainment; they strike at the heart of our multicultural society and the freedoms we hold dear,” Kong said.
Also joining the chorus of protests was the Sarawak-based Federation of Chinese Associations of Sri Aman and Betong Divisions. President Ngu Piew Seng said such a move by the Terengganu government is unacceptable, represents suppression of female artists, not to mention interference and disrespect for Chinese culture.
Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah, an adviser to the state government, argued the decision, stating: “Because the temple performances will be open to passersby, they will also attract male and female audiences from the Muslim community.”
Last month, the Terengganu government had introduced “designated seating for female spectators” in stadiums to prevent the mixing of male and female genders during soccer matches and major school sporting events.
Last year, women's rights group Sisters in Islam (SIS) had denounced PAS for banning gymnasts from participating in the “Sukan Malaysia” sports event because of the athletes' “immodest” attire. SIS described the ban as a sign of broader gender discrimination, adding that the Terengganu government's decision is a serious violation of women's right to participate in recreational activities, including sports, a right enshrined in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
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