Penang stops funds for temple fest after ‘insulting’ remarks

Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun says Penang Chinese Clan Council chairman had insulted the office of the governor.

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has denied claims that it was meddling in the affairs of a Chinese New Year festival held by a local clan’s guild.

Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun said the state government had “held back” funding to the guild, after the Penang Chinese Clan Council chairman Anthony Chang had allegedly made insulting remarks against the office of the Penang governor and how state honours were being awarded.

He said Chang had been told to explain himself but had yet to do so.

However, Ooi said the Penang government had not stopped the guild from holding the event on its own. He said the clan could source for its own funds since some members were VIPs, including a “director of a foreign listed company”.

“We would like to stress that such offensive remarks are detrimental to the governor’s institution and we take serious offence to such allegations.

“It is the governor’s utmost prerogative to confer state honours on who he deems fit.

“We have asked him (Chang) to explain himself, but he has yet to do so.

“We do not want to associate with those who offend the governor and insult this great state, its honours and awards that are given to the people,” Ooi told reporters here today.

The guild had decided to call off this year’s festival after claiming that it had not received any cooperation and monetary assistance from the Penang government, unlike the usual practice for the past 18 years.

Ooi said Chang had apparently refused to “be obedient” to the Penang government.

Chang was reported to have said that if he was obedient, a Datukship would be bestowed on him.

Ooi said Chang’s remarks were widely reported by the Chinese dailies.

The festival is called the Chinese New Year Culture and Heritage Celebration or also known as “miao hui” (temple fest) to locals. It has been held yearly by the Penang Chinese Clan Council since 1999.

Chang had told the Sunday Star that it would not be holding the “miao hui” this year as there was no state funding.

“We later engaged the federal government and they gave their support, including offering to cover the expenses of the event.

“However, after a meeting with the committee members, we decided not to accept help from the federal government, as we do not want the cultural event to be politicised,” Chang told the daily yesterday.

When contacted, Chang declined to comment on Ooi’s remarks, adding that he was away from the country. -FMT

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