Penang PAS rep, backbenchers clash over Songkran beach party
GEORGE TOWN : A PAS assemblyman sparked a row in the Penang legislative assembly today over a Songkran beach party in Batu Ferringhi, when he held a poster that he claimed showed 'scantily dressed women' promoting immoral activities.
Yusni Mat Piah (PN-Penaga) said the music event last month was against the spirit of Songkran and was culturally inappropriate.
Songkran is a traditional Thai new year festival known for water fights symbolising cleansing and renewal. Penang PAS had objected to the two-day festival in the past.
The event in question went viral after clips of scantily dressed women dancing circulated online.
'This is not our culture. This is not the culture of the Malays, or the Chinese and Indians,' Yusni said during the debate on the motion of thanks to the governor.
He said Songkran itself was not the issue, but that it had been manipulated by certain parties.
'There's nothing wrong with the Songkran festival, it's part of Siamese culture. But, it has been hijacked and no longer reflects its true meaning.
'I saw the ad, it was disgusting. It openly shows half-naked women. We all have daughters. This should not happen,' he said.
Yusni said other PAS-led states like Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah had held Songkran events 'without issue'.
Gooi Hsiao Leung (PH-Bukit Tengah) stood up to say that swimwear had been expected since the event was a beach gathering.
'What exactly was in the ad? What was so wrong about it? People wear swimsuits on the beach. This isn't new.
'You uttered words like 'indecent', 'improper' and 'nude' as if Penang is a sex-crazed, party-crazed state. Don't try to inflame this issue for political purposes and play with racial sentiments,' he said.
Chee Yeeh Keen (PH-Bagan Jermal) also stood up to object to Yusni's comments, before deputy speaker Azrul Mahathir Abdul Aziz calmed the situation.
Last month, PAS's Permatang Pauh MP Fawwaz Jan had urged Penang to ban Songkran events as they promoted 'hedonism' and ignored Islamic values.
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