Concert should proceed if security concerns manageable, says ex-CM

A former Sabah chief minister has urged the authorities to allow US gospel singer Israel Houghton’s concert in Kota Kinabalu to proceed if security concerns can be reasonably managed.

Sabah Umno treasurer Salleh Said Keruak said concerns over the concert raised by the state police chief should be taken seriously, and that the cops were best-positioned to assess potential risks to public order.

However, he also said that “all relevant factors” should be taken into account, including the way Sabah has upheld religious tolerance.

“Houghton is a gospel singer with followers among the Christian community, including in Sabah.

“Sabah has always been known for religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among its diverse communities. These are traditions worth preserving.

“If the security concerns can be reasonably managed, the emphasis should be on ensuring that the concert is conducted responsibly and peacefully, rather than preventing it from taking place altogether,” he said in a Facebook post.

Houghton is a US gospel and contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and musician, also known for the group Israel & New Breed.

He has won eight Grammy Awards, including a recent win for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album at the 2026 Grammy Awards.

On Monday, Sabah police chief Jauteh Dikun said the concert organisers had yet to to submit a formal application to the state government, even though the dates, venues and ticket prices had already been advertised.

Jauteh said the police would advise the Sabah government to postpone Houghton’s concert if the organisers submitted a formal application

He said Houghton’s name and his support for Israel had triggered sensitivities within the community, with two police reports lodged on grounds that it was unsuitable to hold the concert at this time.