PETALING JAYA: The Japanese ambassador to Malaysia has commended Malaysians for contributing to the success of the Bon Odori festival which saw over 55,000 people attending the events in Selangor and Penang.
Takahashi Katsuhiko said the success of the festival was due to the “palpable” support of Malaysians for diversity.
“Recently I observed very intense discussions regarding the Bon Odori festival in Malaysia.
“But we really felt the Malaysian people’s power in support of diversity, after we successfully carried out the festival in Selangor and Penang,” he said during a lecture entitled The Look East Policy in Present Turbulent Times.
Previously, the festival made headlines when religious affairs minister Idris Ahmad reminded Muslims not to take part in the Japanese community’s annual summer festival, claiming that the celebration was “influenced by elements of other religions”.
Idris said research conducted by Jakim, the Islamic development department, had confirmed the presence of such influence in the celebration, Bernama reported.
Idris’ statement prompted the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, to instruct the Selangor Islamic religious department (Jais) to allow the festival to proceed.
The ruler also reportedly asked Idris, Jais, and the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) officers to attend Bon Odori to “see for themselves” what takes place at the festival.
Separately, Katsuhiko also said Japan could learn a lot from Malaysia in the areas of Islamic banking and halal certification.
“Malaysia has created a standard for them ahead of other Muslim nations, and we (Japan) are benefitting from Malaysia’s experience when doing business with other Islamic countries,” he said.
