'Nothing wrong in observing tea ceremony or sitting on gong'

Summary

• Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg dismisses proposed guidelines restricting Muslims from attending non-Islamic ceremonies, citing the state’s multicultural nature and the high number of mixed marriages.

• He questions restrictions on practices like observing a Chinese tea ceremony, wearing a songkok, or sitting on a gong, stressing that religious beliefs are a personal matter and that inclusivity is key to harmony.

Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg has rejected proposed guidelines restricting Muslims from attending non-Islamic ceremonies, calling them unnecessary in the state’s multicultural society.

Highlighting Sarawak’s unique diversity and high number of mixed marriages, he questioned the need for such restrictions, such as attending a Chinese wedding tea ceremony, a non-Muslim wearing a songkok, or sitting on a gong.

“We have interfaith marriages - how do we even implement such guidelines?

“In Lutong, a church and a mosque stand side by side. If such rules were introduced, they would only lead to conflict,” Utusan Borneo quoted him as saying at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak’s (PBB) 16th general assembly at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching yesterday.

Abang Johari, who is also PBB president, stressed that there was nothing wrong with Muslims attending non-Islamic weddings, including observing cultural traditions such as tea ceremonies.

“If a Muslim marries a non-Muslim Iban, what’s wrong with sitting on a gong? Likewise, there is no harm in a non-Muslim wearing a songkok at a Muslim event,” he said.

He emphasised that religious beliefs are a personal matter between an individual and God, underscoring the importance of social inclusivity.

Last Friday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that the cabinet had decided such guidelines were unnecessary as Muslims know their limits.

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