PETALING JAYA: The PAS-led Kelantan government had organised the Bon Odori Festival twice in 2018 and 2019, claims Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

       "When the Kelantan state government in 2018 and 2019 officiated the Japanese Park and held the Kelantan-Japan cultural festival, there were Bon Odori celebrations and there was no boycott then," he tweeted on Saturday (June 11).

       The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) founder cited Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's decree, who ordered the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) not to forbid Muslims from attending the festival.

       Sultan Sharafuddin was responding to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad, who said Muslims should not attend the event.

       The Ruler also suggested that Idris, Jais and Shah Alam City Hall officers attend the festival to get a true picture of the event.

       The Bon Odori Festival is scheduled to be held at the Shah Alam Sports Complex on July 16.

       Syed Saddiq said he agreed with Sultan Sharafuddin's decree and that they should attend and see for themselves what the Bon Odori Festival was.

       "Don't jump to conclusions. This will deteriorate relations between Malaysia and Japan.

       "Our nation's strength lies in our diversity. We can't let differences in our culture break our unity," he said.

       Despite the royal rebuke, PAS' ulama and women's wing said Muslims should not attend the event, claiming that the festival has elements of Buddhist rituals that could sway one's faith.