Kelantan government to probe Loy Kratong Festival claims

KOTA BHARU - The Kelantan state government will investigate claims that several women in headscarves joined the Loy Kratong Festival area at Wat Pathumviharn, Kampung Balai Jumaat, last week.

State Executive Councillor for Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment Hilmi Abdullah said he has not received any official complaints related to the matter.

"The viral recording before this also did not show any sign of women wearing headscarves in that area.

"The recording is only 30 seconds long; we cannot identify the alleged women, and there is no other recording to refer to," he told reporters after the Executive Council meeting today.

He also said that the organisers of the event had complied with all the conditions set by the state government, but there were some violations, namely, failure to control the entry of outsiders.

The Kelantan PKR women had urged the state government to investigate a stage performance featuring a scantily clad female singer at the festival.

Its chief, Nor Azmiza Mamat said that such actions should not happen in Kelantan's entertainment performances.

Meanwhile, Hilmi clarified that the state government leaves the decision of whether to impose fines or warnings to the organisers following the situation at the festival to the Bachok District Council.

"We are still waiting for the decision made by the Bachok District Council Head.

"The violation of conditions that occurred is not a significant issue because the event had a permit but has been breached by certain parties," he added.

The event's religious chief, Phor Than Plen, reportedly said that the celebration was considered an annual lively event by the Thai community and the organisers did not want the matter to be exaggerated.