KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Pas commissioner Datuk Ahmad Yunus Hairi was summoned for an audience with Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah to discuss matters related to the Bon Odori festival.
Selangor Pas liaison secretary Roslan Shahir Mohd Shahir said they were contacted by the palace yesterday as Sultan Sharafuddin wanted to know what was their stance on the festival which would be held at the Shah Alam Sports Complex on July 16.
"His Majesty wanted to know our position on the Bon Odori festival.
"His Majesty gave his views and we also conveyed to him that we respected his stance.
"We told Tuanku our position and most importantly, we told him that we are, all the way, supportive of the palace's role in uniting the rakyat.
"We have no problems with each other," Roslan told the New Straits Times tonight.
Roslan added that their stance remained the same as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad who had advised Muslims against participating in the festival.
This came after Idris said a study conducted by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) found that the festival contained elements of other religions.
Idris' call was echoed by its Pas Ulama Council and its women's wing.
Roslan added that they would abide by what was said by Idris, who is also a Pas vice-president, as it was merely advice to Muslims not to attend it.
"It was not calling for the festival to be cancelled," added Roslan.
The palace had earlier, in its official Selangor Royal Palace Facebook page, said Sultan Sharafuddin had summoned Ahmad Yunus for an audience at Istana Bukit Kayangan in Shah Alam.
The meeting lasted for about an hour, read the post.
Sultan Sharafuddin had last week suggested for Idris to attend the festival to understand the difference between religion and culture.
He advised the minister against using Jakim to issue misleading and inaccurate statements that may mar the department's image and reputation.
His Majesty also ordered the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) and Shah Alam City Council officials to attend the event to get a true picture and ensure the celebration does not have any effect on the Muslim faith.
Jais director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said it would not bar any persons from attending the festival.
His Highness said he had attended the celebration in 2016 accompanied by the Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia and saw that the festival did not involve religious ceremonies or rituals that could distort the faith of those witnessing it.
Sultan Sharafuddin said the festival, one that is cultural in nature, has been held in Malaysia for decades to
strengthen the spirit of goodwill between Malaysians and the Japanese community who work and live here.
The festival, he added, features traditional cultures of the Japanese people, including dance, drum performances, lantern ornaments, traditional Japanese clothing and food; as well as local food products.
He also said the festival has become popular as many companies from Japan invested and opened their factory branches in Selangor and it has become a platform to introduce Japanese entertainment culture.