Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng has questioned the need to postpone US gospel singer Israel Houghton’s planned concert in Sabah, saying security concerns should be managed through proper arrangements.
Lim said that if Malaysia could welcome US President Donald Trump despite protests over US policy on Palestine, there should be no reason for Houghton’s concert to be stopped if security risks could be addressed.
He was responding to Sabah police saying they would advise the state government to postpone the concert if organisers submitted a formal application.
Lim questions police concerns
Lim said police had not publicly shown that Houghton’s proposed performance would promote hatred or violence.
‘The police should explain why the sensitivities surrounding Houghton’s concert cannot likewise be managed through proper security arrangements,’ he said in a statement.
‘Objections from some groups alone should not determine whether an event can proceed.’
Lim said maintaining security was a basic duty of the police, and anyone threatening to disrupt the event should be dealt with accordingly.
‘Public order must never become an excuse to let anyone use threats of disorder to decide who gets to sing and who gets to listen,’ he said.
Police cite community sensitivities
Sabah police chief Jauteh Dikun said last week that the advice to postpone the concert was based on public reactions and community sensitivities surrounding the event.
Police have also received two reports concerning the proposed concert.
Jauteh said the singer’s name and his stance on Israel had triggered sensitivities within the community.
He added that organisers had yet to submit a formal application to the state government, despite having advertised the concert dates, venues and ticket prices.
The concert is scheduled from Oct 22 to 25 at several locations in Kota Kinabalu. It is part of Houghton’s international tour, with Sabah among his stops in Malaysia.
Former chief ministers back concert
Former chief ministers Salleh Said Keruak and Shafie Apdal said the concert should be allowed to proceed if security concerns could be reasonably managed.
They also cited Sabah Christians’ freedom to practise their faith peacefully and the need for mutual respect.
