Chan had said at the rate religious radicalisation happening, cultural celebrations like the Harvest Festival in Sabah, where consumption of rice wine is part and parcel of the programme, might be banned one day.
“Tadau Kaamatan, or the annual Harvest Festival, will go on as usual because it’s different from whatever is held elsewhere,” Christopher told FMT.
“In Sabah, all people from all races and religions celebrate the Harvest Festival together because they’re family.
“In a family, there can be Muslims, Christians and members from other religions. So how can we stop them from celebrating together?
“It’s a family affair and a long-held tradition in Sabah.
“Sabahans are unique. People can celebrate festivities together without letting go of their religion.”
Christopher said the traditional festival will be here to stay as it has been celebrated by national leaders and among all BN component parties.
“The event will keep happening because of the good relationship between Sabah and Putrajaya. National leaders have celebrated it too,” he said.
“Putrajaya respects Sabah and will not do anything to anger Sabahans and Sarawakians for that matter.
“And politically speaking, BN is a partnership, where we don’t do things that hurt our partners.”
Chan had said that it was simply absurd that religious extremists now are going to the extent of telling non-Muslims what they can and cannot do, particularly in terms of consuming alcoholic beverages.
“Would the Harvest Festival be banned one day too?” Chan had asked.
Chan, who is also Sri Tanjung assemblyman, said banning cultural festivals in the country, such as the Harvest Festival, which is celebrated by the Kadazandusun Murut community in Sabah, would contravene the oaths contained in the Oath Stone.
In the Oath Stone (Batu Sumpah), he said, the people of Sabah, during the formation of Malaysia, agreed to be part of the new nation, with one of the conditions being that the federal government must respect the natives’ traditions and culture.
“It’s about mutual respect and understanding among the different religious groups in this federation,” he said.
Chan said this in response to the uncertainty over the holding of a beer festival, Oktoberfest, said to be planned at the One Utama shopping mall in Petaling Jaya.
A beer festival planned earlier in Kuala Lumpur had also been cancelled. Police said this was for security reasons as militants may target the event.