Sabah lawmakers and Lip Eng reject gospel concert, demand stricter regulations
UPDATED 5.27PM | Show should go on if it complies with laws and regulations, they say.
Source: Malaysiakini · October 4, 2026 at 9:31 AM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 4 OCTOBER 2026 —
Sabah Lawmakers Demand Transparency Over Israel Houghton Concert Amid Security Concerns, Citing Double Standards in Event Approvals
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Three Sabah lawmakers have called for the proposed Israel Houghton gospel concert to proceed if organisers comply with legal and security requirements, while questioning the fairness of police recommendations to postpone the event before a formal application was even submitted. Their statements come as the state grapples with objections over the Grammy-winning American singer’s alleged pro-Israel stance, raising broader concerns about inconsistent enforcement of event regulations and the erosion of religious tolerance in Malaysia.
The debate has exposed tensions between security assessments and public sentiment, with critics arguing that the concert’s postponement risks setting a precedent for arbitrary cancellations based on political or religious sensitivities. Lawmakers and former officials have drawn parallels to past international events in Malaysia—including a scheduled U.S. presidential visit—and questioned why a Christian worship gathering should face stricter scrutiny than other large-scale public gatherings.
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The controversy erupted after Sabah police, on September 28, announced they would advise the state government to postpone Houghton’s concert if organisers submitted a formal application. Police commissioner Jauteh Dikun cited two objections lodged against the event, stating that authorities would continue monitoring the situation, including recording statements from relevant parties. However, organisers have yet to file an official request, leaving the concert’s fate uncertain.
The police decision has drawn sharp criticism from Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, who accused authorities of preemptively influencing public perception. “If now is not the right time for Houghton to perform in Malaysia, when exactly is?” Lim asked in a statement, adding that the police should focus on managing security risks rather than bowing to potential disruptions.
He argued that Houghton’s music promotes “messages of love, faith, and unity,” and questioned why the concert’s sensitivities could not be managed with standard security arrangements—similar to how Malaysia hosted U.S. President Donald Trump in October 2025 despite protests over American policies on Palestine.
Lim also dismissed claims that the concert would incite unrest, stating that organisers should be judged solely on their compliance with legal requirements. “If they meet all legal requirements and security risks can be managed, let him perform,” he said, urging police to address threats of disruption rather than allowing intimidation to dictate event approvals.
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The calls for transparency were echoed by Luyang assemblyperson Samuel Wong, who supported Warisan president Shafie Apdal’s stance that the concert should proceed if it adhered to the law. Wong, while respecting police authority in security assessments, stressed the need for a clear, consistent process for large-scale religious events, particularly those involving international performers.
“Organisers should know from the outset what approvals, venue requirements, security arrangements, and crowd management measures are required,” Wong said. He noted that Sabah could learn from past Christian worship events but insisted each case must be evaluated on its merits. Wong also called for upfront communication of any additional security conditions, ensuring organisers and authorities operate with certainty.
His remarks followed Shafie Apdal’s assertion on October 3 that Sabah’s diversity is not “merely a slogan” but a defining feature of its society. The Warisan leader’s support for the concert aligns with his party’s long-standing advocacy for religious pluralism, though he has not publicly addressed Houghton’s 2023 social media post—where the singer expressed support for Israel amid its conflict with Palestine—which has fueled opposition to the concert.
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Tham Yun Fook, the Likas assemblyperson, also backed Shafie’s position, praising Sabah’s history of interfaith harmony while warning against extremism undermining social cohesion. “Let us continue to safeguard the harmony that has long been the strength of Sabah for the benefit of future generations,” Tham said, framing the debate as a test of the state’s commitment to tolerance.
The lawmakers’ interventions come as Anifah Aman, former Sabah minister and special adviser to Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, expressed surprise at the police reports filed against the concert. “It is a surprise because Sabah has always been the land where tolerance is of utmost importance,” Anifah said, highlighting the state’s reputation for accommodating diverse religious practices.
He questioned why a Christian event for a Christian audience should face objections, particularly when Malaysia has previously hosted international figures with controversial political ties—such as Avenged Sevenfold’s M Shadows, whose 2025 welcome-home video for Israeli hostages sparked backlash in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Anifah drew a direct parallel, noting that while Shadows faced criticism for his humanitarian gesture, the band performed in Malaysia without cancellation. “Why the double standard?” he asked, arguing that religious intolerance may be creeping into public discourse. He also referenced Malaysia’s past handling of foreign athletes at regional sports events, where participants were allowed to compete as long as they respected local sensitivities—without bans based on their personal beliefs.
“Houghton is not coming to proselytise Muslims,” Anifah clarified. “The concert is for Christians only. We never had a problem before this. We shouldn’t make this a problem now.”
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The controversy has reignited debates over Malaysia’s approach to religious events amid rising geopolitical tensions. Houghton, an eight-time Grammy-winning gospel artist, is scheduled to perform in Sabah later this month, though the exact date remains unconfirmed pending police and government decisions. His alleged pro-Israel stance has sparked protests from Malaysian and Indonesian social media users, who argue that hosting him would legitimise Israel’s policies in the Palestinian territories.
However, supporters—including some Muslims—have defended Houghton’s right to perform, citing their own condemnation of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians and rejecting the idea that religious minorities should face restrictions based on external political conflicts. Anifah’s remarks reflect this sentiment, framing the issue as one of principled consistency: if Malaysia can host figures with controversial views without imposing ideological litmus tests, then Houghton’s concert should not be an exception.
The lawmakers’ unified call for transparency suggests that the Houghton case may serve as a litmus test for Sabah’s—and Malaysia’s—commitment to secular governance in religious matters. With no formal application yet submitted, the next steps hinge on whether police will engage in a retrospective security review or insist on a preemptive postponement, setting a precedent for future events.
As the debate intensifies, the focus remains on whether authorities will prioritise legal compliance and security management over public sentiment—or risk reinforcing perceptions of arbitrary enforcement in the name of religious harmony.