Only cultural events allowed at national arts and culture dept’s auditoriums, studios
BUKIT MERTAJAM, July 1 — The Information, Communications and Culture Ministry only allows cultural events to be held at the National Arts and Culture Department's (JKKN) auditoriums or studios nationwide.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said worshipping or religious events were not allowed at these auditoriums as this would run contrary to the department's policy of highlighting only arts and cultural events.
"To me, there's no problem in having dance performances at these auditoriums as long as they are decent or do not create problems for others" he said after launching the national-level 'Klik Dengan Bijak' (Click Wisely) Campaign 2012, here, today.
Rais was responding to criticism from various quarters including Gerakan that the department had acted unprofessionally by rejecting the requests of dance teachers from the Penang Hindu Association and Temple of Fine Arts to hold "salangai pooja" at the P.Ramlee Auditorium belonging to Penang JKKN, last week.
The pooja was to pay homage to Lord Shiva as part of an event in honour of graduands of a baratha natiyam dance class.
On Thursday, Penang Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan reportedly criticised the department's action and regarded Penang JKKN director Mariam Sulaiman as a narrow-minded officer. — Bernama
