In a letter dated March 31, JHEAIPP department director Marzuki Hassan said the department received a complaint from Persatuan Anak Jati Melayu over the Tean Hock Keong Association’s event.

“Since the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration is one of the religious activities of the Muslim community, Tean Hock Keong Association is not permitted to organise the open house event.

“For the association’s information, all Islamic religious activities, including celebrations related to Hari Raya Aidilfitri, require permission from the Penang Islamic religious council,” Marzuki said in the letter sighted by FMT.

The association, however, explained in a letter to JHEAIPP dated April 5 that the open house was intended to “foster unity, strengthen ties of friendship, and reinforce harmony in the local community”.

Its secretary, Ng Choong Seong, said the event was carefully planned after advice from the Penang national unity and integration department and discussions with local mosque leaders, surau leaders, and community representatives who had agreed to it.

He said the food served would be halal and prepared by catering services owned by local residents, as a show of support for the local community.

The association also said it had agreed to revise the original poster, including the event’s title, organiser’s name and venue, after receiving feedback from several quarters that the initial version was “somewhat inappropriate”.

“Our association regrets that there were complaints that led to this meaningful event being scrapped,” Ng said.

“Although we agreed to change the location and title of this programme, we still respect the decision by JHEAIPP to cancel the programme, despite its main purpose to foster unity within the community.”