Terengganu exco member Mustafa Ali has called for an open dialogue to discuss issues involving functions held at the state-owned hotels.

He urged MIC Terengganu to participate in the dialogue so that an amicable solution can be found over the party's plans to hold the annual Deepavali celebration in October.

"We hope to meet them (MIC) to explain and to discuss the whole issue. We have no intention of stopping their cultural celebrations, especially when it is a private affair...these are among the things that need clarification," Mustafa told malaysiakini today.

He said the dialogue would be held at the Primula Beach Resort on Aug 20 where he will be representing both the state government and the hotel's board of directors, of which he is chairperson.

Asked if there was still a possibility that MIC Terengganu could hold its 'Malam Deepa 2003' at the hotel, Mustafa responded in the affirmative.

"On certain things we have to stand firm, such as (our policy of) no liquor or public social dancing. But if they want to sing during a closed-door event, it should not be a problem to the state or the hotel," he said.

Process of appeal

Expressing his confidence that the parties can come to an amicable agreement, Mustafa said he hoped that the issue would not be politicised.

He added that the state government decided to impose the strict ruling following an earlier incident involving a MCA-organised function where all conditions set by the state authorities were flouted by the party.

"The MCA branch here likes to bring in racial sentiments when discussing such issues in the media, with the support of Umno. They raise these things, not for the good of the people but rather to create disharmony among the communities here," he alleged.

Sharing the sentiment, the menteri besar's press secretary Zahari Muhammad said the state was open to discussion on the issues.

"We have a process of appeal (against rejection of permits). The public are welcome to discuss their dissatisfaction with the state. The problem with some political parties is that they do not want to discuss, but go straight to the press to politicise the issue, he said.

In the past, he added, the state had frequently met with private bodies that had faced problems over organising certain events in public places.

"We have tried to help and accommodate (their needs), as long as the event involves their respective cultures and religion. We have even arranged for some of them to meet the menteri besar, so there is nothing that cannot be resolved," Zahari said.

No previous problems

When contacted for comments, MIC Kuala Terengganu chief Dr Dayal Krishnan said he was not interested in hearing the state's stand and reasons.

"But if they (the state officials) are willing to really discuss the matter seriously, we may consider it," he said.

As to the open dialogue session, Dayal - who is also president of the Terengganu Indian Club and past president of the state Rotary Club - said he would attend the event as a community leader and not as a politician.

Saying that MIC Terengganu had never faced problems in holding the event in previous years, Dayal said the strict conditions may have been imposed because of a recent event organised by the state MCA.

"The catalyst was the dinner and dance function which had to be stopped halfway after there was dancing activities and apparently, some liquor had been served as well," he claimed.

"The matter was reported in the press and the next thing we know, we were called in for a briefing by the hotel."

Public complaints

Dayal stressed that the Indian community has no problems with the state's stand on liquor and dancing, explaining that the Deepavali celebration was a family event. However, he was upset that the live band performance has been disallowed.

"What are the celebrations without some Tamil and Hindi songs? No matter what happens, we will have the celebration. The venue may not be so great but come what may, we will go on with the gathering," he said.

Kuala Terengganu municipal council Dr Sulaiman Abdullah said the council had received several public complaints against misuse of permits during events held at the hotel.

"There have been cases where we had issued licences, (but the organisers) flouted all the conditions (resulting in) public complaints," he said.

"Since (the hotel) is a public area, we have to give priority to the rights of the public - that's the intention of the bylaws...to protect rights."

He also stressed that cultural events are generally excluded from such procedures, but that there have been occasions when even these events had been misused and ended up disturbing the public.