By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 21: Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing has expressed concern over the ban on Christmas decorations in halal-certified outlets by Melaka religious authorities, as it could negatively impact Malaysia as an international tourism destination.
In a Facebook post, Tiong, who is also MP for Bintulu and assemblyman for Dudong, stressed that in the context of Malaysia’s plural society, Christmas celebrations are largely decorative in nature and an expression of culture.
“If even the most basic right to decoration is questioned, what perception will be formed of our country? What image will we project to the international community?
“Melaka attracts visitors from all over the world. It not only possesses a rich historical heritage but also embodies a blend of diverse cultures, religions, philosophies, and arts—these are Melaka’s most precious core values and its key attractions,” he said.
Tiong also relayed feedback received from international tourists who expressed confusion, contradicting Malaysia’s long-established image within the global community as a multi-racial and multi-religious country.
“We should not allow an issue that ought not to be sensationalised to become a political, religious, or racial controversy. From an external perspective, such discussions not only fail to help tourists understand the system but also easily give rise to misunderstandings.
“In reality, this is merely an issue of festive decorations, yet it has been exaggerated into a racial and religious controversy, further confusing the public and the outside world.
“Many people, both locally and internationally, find it difficult to understand why a simple matter of decoration has become such a major issue. We must remember that Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-religious country, and this diversity and inclusiveness are core values that Malaysia proudly upholds,” he said.
He added that Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026) is crucial for the country to attract more international tourists, a responsibility shared by all states.
That being said, he urged religious leaders to return to the table for dialogue and communication, to resolve differences through discussion and mutual understanding, rather than allowing misunderstandings to persist.
Tiong also hoped that the Melaka government, particularly departments related to religious affairs and tourism, will strengthen coordination and proactively provide clear explanations to the public and international tourists.
“The role of the state government should be to preserve harmony among different religions and ethnic groups, to resolve misunderstandings through clear communication and rational handling, rather than magnifying minor issues and creating more conflict and unnecessary confusion,” he said.
Recently, it was reported that halal-certified eateries and hotels in Melaka had been barred from putting up Christmas decorations, following a circular purportedly issued by the state Islamic religious affairs department.
The circular reportedly stated that Christmas decorations are not permitted on the premises of any halal-certified hotel or outlet in Melaka, as Christmas is a religious celebration, not a cultural one, which may ‘cause faith-related issues’. — DayakDaily
