The Mosque Goodwill Committee in Georgetown is appealing to the Agong to direct the relevant state and federal authorities to take action to stop the "abuse" of the Hungry Ghost Festival by certain irresponsible and insensitive groups.

A memorandum will be sent to His Majesty and copied to all the relevant politicians and state government so that a proper solution can be found to resolve the problem before it leads to public order and security problems.

The group is also seeking the king's help because he is the head of religion in the state and has no political or personal interest in the matter.

muslim groups pc on hungry ghost festival concert 090910 mohideen kadir Spokersperson for the committee, Mohideen Abdul Kader said today that the loud music from the performance stages, popularly known as ' ge tai ', affected the worshippers in the mosques, making it very difficult for them to concentrate on their worship.

"It induces stress and discomfort in the people living nearby and can adversely impact the sick and the elderly," Mohideen ( left ) told a press conference called within the mosque vicinity in Jalan Kapitan Keling.

"The performance has no cultural or religious significance as it is nothing but a slavish imitation of decadent Western pop culture," he added in the company of about 30 members of the group.

'Decadent activities' charge against organisers

A number of stages have been built for the celebration, which ended yesterday, not far from the two historic mosques - Masjid Kapitan Keling and Masjid Acheh - about less than 30 meters away.

bukit gantang 050409 taman kaya ge tai stage For the past month, there have been performances in which young, scantily clad, semi-nude girls sing Chinese, English, Malay and Hindi pop songs accompanied by loud, ear-piercing music.

Mohideen said the "decadent activities" were carried out even during the holy month of Ramadan close to the mosques where hundreds of men, women and children were trying to concentrate on their prayers.

He criticised the organisers for being totally insensitive and indifferent to the needs and feelings of these worshippers.

"Despite numerous complaints the authorities have taken no action to curb the abuses; what is shocking is that the police and the local authority have granted permits for such activities without considering the significance of Ramadan, the proximity of the mosques to the stages, the type of performance and the interest and feelings of the worshippers," he said.

"These performances by semi-nude girls, which have nothing to do with Chinese beliefs or culture, have been criticised by Chinese Community leaders who have suggested alternatives to such irreligious celebrations," he added.

'Sexy stage shows are meaningless'

Recently, Penang Teong Guan Association adviser Lim Yam Koi had told the media that the Tai Su Yeah (King of Hades) deity "does not fancy scantily-dressed singers". He added there was no point in spending so much money for these performances, which can cost up to RM10,000 per night.

NONE Lim had also said that "sexy stage shows were meaningless" to the festival.

State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairperson Danny Law Heng Kiang had also reportedly said in the media that there was a lot of myth associated with the festival, adding that the committee will be screening a movie on the religious significance of the festival which promotes filial piety and that there will not be any stage shows.

Mohideen said the above precedent can be replicated and there is no need to have the celebrations in every street corner, particularly near mosques, churches and temples.

He added that the above views of the association and state government should be given serious consideration by approving bodies like the police and local authorities when exercising their discretionary power.