Penang MP Slams PAS for Politicising Songkran Festival, Defends Cultural Celebration

Credit Photo Syerleena's X

Penang, Malaysia – April 9, 2025In a strongly worded statement, Syerleena Abdul Rashid, the Member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera, has hit back at Penang PAS’s call to ban the upcoming Songkran Music Festival, accusing the party of politicising culture and undermining Malaysia’s multicultural harmony.

Speaking as both a Muslim and the representative of the constituency where the festival is set to take place, Syerleena dismissed PAS’s sudden campaign to “protect public morality” as baseless and politically motivated. “Songkran isn’t the problem—politicising culture is,” she declared, pointing to the festival’s decades-long history as a cherished tradition in Penang.

The Songkran festival, deeply rooted in Thai and Siamese heritage, has been celebrated peacefully in the state for years, particularly around temples like Wat Chayamangkalaram and Wat Buppharam in Pulau Tikus, a state constituency within Bukit Bendera. Syerleena highlighted the event’s role in fostering unity, boosting tourism, and supporting the local economy, with participants from diverse backgrounds joining in what she called “the true Malaysian spirit.”

“Penang PAS’s move to label Songkran as ‘indecent’ isn’t just misplaced—it’s deeply irresponsible and politically transparent,” she said. She argued that the festival has never posed a moral issue in the past, questioning why it is being targeted now unless the controversy is “politically manufactured.”

In a sharp rebuke, Syerleena pointed to a glaring inconsistency within PAS itself. While Penang PAS seeks to outlaw the event, the PAS-led Kedah state government actively promoted Songkran in April 2024 as part of its tourism strategy. “Is Songkran a meaningful cultural celebration or a moral threat—depending on the political optics?” she asked, accusing the party of exploiting cultural issues for division and control rather than upholding genuine values.

Addressing her fellow Muslims, Syerleena emphasised that faith is strengthened through justice and compassion, not suppression. “Misusing religion to gain political mileage at the expense of peaceful co-existence is a betrayal of these values,” she said. She urged a collaborative approach to address any legitimate concerns about public events, advocating for responsible guidelines over outright bans.

“Malaysia’s strength lies in its diversity,” Syerleena concluded. “Penang belongs to all of us. Let us be proud of our differences—and never ashamed to celebrate them.”

The statement comes amid growing tensions over cultural events in Malaysia, with Syerleena’s remarks likely to intensify the debate over the balance between tradition, religion, and politics in the country’s diverse society.