KOTA BARU: The organiser of the Loy Krathong Festival concert in Bachok on Friday (Nov 24) is facing a fine of up to RM10,000 for breaching conditions set by the authorities.
Kelantan local government, housing, health and environment committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said the organiser of the Loy Krathong Festival concert had a permit, so it did not breach the Kelantan Entertainment Control Enactment as claimed by certain parties.
"The organiser applied for the permit on June 25 and it was granted on Sept 20 after we explained the conditions and rules, including that it is to be a closed-door event and attended only by Buddhist devotees.
"However, the organiser failed to comply with rules, (by) featuring singers from Thailand who did not comply with the dress code, and allowing Muslims into the concert,” he told a press conference at Kota Darulnaim Complex here on Tuesday (Nov 28).
He was responding to Kelantan Wanita PKR chief Nor Azmiza Mamat's demand that the state government investigate the event after a 30-second video featuring singers in scanty attire at the concert went viral.
Hilmi said his office conducted an investigation and held a hearing on Monday (Nov 27) attended by several parties including representatives of the Bachok Islamic Tourism City District Council, the police, religious officials and the organisers.
"The organisers in Bachok admitted that a Rela member hired at the concert failed to stop Muslim visitors from attending the event.
"The poster of the event was in the Thai language and the religious concert that is held annually is only for Buddhists,” he said. – Bernama
