Local church leaders have come out in support of the Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) which yesterday warned hotels, restaurants, and other premises against planning Christmas and New Year celebrations without entertainment permits.

Leaders of several churches in Kota Baru said the MPKB was justified in issuing the warning because certain quarters had abused the religious occasions in the past and used them as an excuse to hold wild parties involving alcohol and disco music.

Pastor Rodney Siew of the Kota Baru Gospel Center told malaysiakini that while MPKB have always respected the churches and their religious celebrations, 'secular groups' had tarnished the sanctity of these occasions.

"Every year, MPKB has respected the churches and our organisation of Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations as long as these are done properly and according to (Christian) religious ways."

"But these religious festivities have been abused by 'secular groups'. These secular groups bring in drinks and have a jolly good time disco-dancing, shouting and other riotous behavior," he said when contacted.

'MPKB's warning is good in a way because they're upholding the sanctity of religious festivities," added Siew.

'Political parties' factor

Local English daily The Star today reported that MPKB's public relations director, Azman Mohd Daham, as saying that 10 premises in Kota Baru had already been identified as likely to hold entertainment activities without approval during the coming festive break.

He said the council would mount joint raids with the Kelantan Islamic Council and the police on premises where these illegal Christmas eve and New Year's eve entertainment parties were usually held.

According to The Star , MCA central committee member Fam Lee Ee had chided the council for its 'overly harsh tone' and urged it to be more cautious instead of talking about 'conducting raids'.

Siew said the reason MPKB has issued the harsh warning this year was because certain 'political organisations' had previously organised Christmas parties which had breached the rules of the Kota Baru Entertainment Enactment Act of 1988 such as going beyond the ending time stipulated by the municipal council.

"When MPKB officials at the venue warned them, these groups refused to give in (by ending the party). That's why MPKB said they will be much firmer this year," he said without disclosing the organisations involved.

'Outside boundaries'

Kota Baru Methodist Church Pastor Thong Boon Sen said if there were Christmas entertainment activities being organised without any religious motive, then it would be better not to have any entertainment at all.

"If the entertainment is without any point, then perhaps not doing it at all is all right. Especially if it involves is dancing and entertainment that is outside the boundaries of religion," he said.

Pastor Anderson Wee from the Christian Services Center, meanwhile, suggested that groups '... outside of the church have a right (to celebrate) Christmas and New Year's eve'.

"But these celebrations must be done appropriately and not cause any problems. At some occasions, I have heard these celebrations are merely parties with alcoholic drinks."

Wee lamented the incidence of certain groups using the celebration Christmas to hold parties that were ' ... inappropriate in the eyes of the Lord'.