Nga defends ministry carolling session, says will not bow to 'bigots'

Summary

• Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming defends his ministry against criticisms by PAS over Christmas carolling.

• Nga says his ministry has celebrated all festivities and will continue to do so in the future.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has pledged not to succumb to “bigots, bigotry, and extremists” in the wake of criticisms over a Christmas carolling session held at his ministry in Putrajaya.

In response to PAS Youth vice-chief Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin, Nga said his ministry upholds the value of unity in diversity as a pillar of the nation’s strength.

“All festive seasons are well received and welcomed. So, we will not succumb to the bigots, bigotry and the extremists.

“We will continue to show respect, and particularly in this viral video, we did showcase unity and harmony with ministry staff who joined the carolling being from Sabah and Sarawak,” he said, adding that many of the officers involved are ethnic-Kadazans.

“Respect and compassion are the two main principles of our (unity government) administration.

“I advise PAS to repent and stop sharing slander or disrupt harmony among the races,” he stressed.

Nga also reminded PAS that he recently received an apology and payment of RM5,000 for legal fees from Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria who was found guilty of slander.

Hanif in a Facebook post yesterday took issue with a video of the carolling performance where several Muslims are seen among the audience.

He said Nga as the minister in charge should know that it is haram (forbidden) for Muslims to partake in festivities of other religions that go against the Islamic creed (akidah).

Diversity of festivities

The video was a heavily edited clip lasting about one-and-half minutes posted by Nga on Christmas Eve and features staff members of his ministry singing “Jingle Bells” - a song about the thrill of riding on a sleigh through the snow - and the song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.

In the video, Nga congratulated his staff for making the best-decorated lobby of all the ministries and lauded the diversity of the festivities celebrated there.

In his statement today, Nga reiterated that his ministry’s lobby had been bedecked with Aidilfitri, Deepavali, and Christmas decorations over the past year, and will soon feature Chinese New Year decorations too.

“Unity in diversity is our strength, I will also continue to celebrate various festivals with all levels of society, including inviting PAS leaders to attend the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration later.

“Hopefully, they will also bring the kompang and join us in the spirit of unity,” he said.

Various DAP leaders had also hit out at Hanif over his remarks, which they contrasted with PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan’s Christmas greetings.

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