Lip Eng, Sabah reps back gospel concert, call for clear rules

Three lawmakers have backed calls for the proposed Israel Houghton gospel concert in Sabah to proceed if the organisers meet all legal and security requirements.

They also urged authorities to apply clear and consistent rules to religious events.

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng said police should focus on managing security risks rather than letting objections or threats of disruption decide whether the concert can proceed.

He said the police’s announcement that they would recommend postponing the concert before organisers had even submitted a formal application raised doubts over whether the event would receive a fair assessment.

“Sabah police must answer one simple question. If now is not the right time for Houghton to perform in Malaysia, when exactly is?” the DAP lawmaker said in a statement yesterday.

Lim (above) stressed that the police should deal with those threatening disruption rather than letting intimidation influence audiences or government decisions.

“If organisers meet all legal requirements and security risks can be managed, let him perform,” he said, adding that Houghton’s music promoted messages of love, faith, and unity.

Lim also questioned why sensitivities surrounding Houghton’s concert could not be managed with security arrangements, citing Malaysia’s hosting of United States President Donald Trump in October 2025 despite protests over the foreign country’s policies on Palestine.

'Clear, consistent rules needed'

In a separate statement, Luyang assemblyperson Samuel Wong said he supported Warisan president Shafie Apdal’s position that the concert should be allowed if it complied with the law and requirements.

Wong respected the police’s role in assessing security concerns, but called for a clear and consistent process for large-scale religious and worship events, particularly those involving international performers and big crowds.

“Organisers should know from the outset what approvals, venue requirements, security arrangements, and crowd management measures are required,” he said.

Wong said Sabah could also learn from previous large-scale Christian worship events, but highlighted that each event should be assessed according to its own circumstances.

Yesterday, Shafie asserted that Sabah’s diversity is not “merely a slogan” but a way of life.

READ MORE: Ex-CM: Sabah cops should manage security so gospel concert can go ahead

Houghton and his band, Israel & New Breed, are scheduled to perform in Sabah later this month. However, the singer’s alleged support for Israel in a 2023 social media post in its conflict with Palestine has prompted calls for the concert to be postponed.

On Sept 28, Bernama reported that Sabah police said that they would advise the state government to postpone Houghton’s concert if organisers submit a formal application.

Sabah police commissioner Jauteh Dikun said they have received two reports objecting to the concert and would continue monitoring the situation, including through recording statements from relevant parties.

Meanwhile, Wong said clear rules would help organisers and authorities identify potential concerns earlier and reduce uncertainty over similar events in future.

“If additional security measures or conditions are necessary, these should be clearly communicated to the organisers.

“If the necessary requirements are fulfilled, there should be a clear pathway for the event to proceed subject to the appropriate conditions,” he stated.

'Keep protecting Sabah's diversity'

Likewise, Likas assemblyperson Tham Yun Fook backed Shafie’s call, praising the Semporna MP’s stance in protecting religious diversity.

Tham said Sabah had long been known for its peaceful coexistence among people of different races and religions, stressing that extremism and prejudice should not be allowed to undermine the state’s social harmony.

“Let us continue to safeguard the harmony that has long been the strength of Sabah for the benefit of future generations," he added.

Houghton is an eight-time Grammy-winning gospel and contemporary Christian singer-songwriter from the US.

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