Trump welcomed despite protests, so why not Houghton, asks MP

If Malaysia could welcome US president Donald Trump despite protests over US policy on Palestine, there should be no reason a US gospel singer’s concert cannot go ahead if security risks can be managed, says Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng.

Lim was referring to Israel Houghton’s planned concert in Sabah, and criticised the police for saying they would advise the state government to postpone it if organisers submitted a formal application.

He said the police had not publicly shown that Houghton’s proposed performance would promote hatred or violence.

“The police should explain why the sensitivities surrounding Houghton’s concert cannot likewise be managed through proper security arrangements.

“Objections from some groups alone should not determine whether an event can proceed,” he said in a statement.

Lim said maintaining security was a basic duty of the police, and anyone threatening to disrupt the event should be dealt with accordingly.

“Public order must never become an excuse to let anyone use threats of disorder to decide who gets to sing and who gets to listen,” he said.

Sabah police chief Jauteh Dikun said last week the advice to postpone the concert was based on public reactions to the event and community sensitivities.

The police have also received two reports about the proposed concert.

Jauteh said the singer’s name and his stance on Israel have triggered sensitivities within the community.

He said the organisers have yet to submit a formal application to the state government, even though the dates, venues and ticket prices have been advertised.

The concert is scheduled for Oct 22 to 25 at several locations in Kota Kinabalu and is part of the singer’s international tour, with Sabah among his stops in Malaysia.

Former chief ministers Salleh Said Keruak and Shafie Apdal said the concert should be allowed to proceed if security concerns can be reasonably managed and in keeping with Sabah Christians’ freedom to practise their faith peacefully and the need for mutual respect.