By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, July 17 — The Bon Odori Festival at the Shah Alam National Sports Complex here last night was a lively feat, which, according to the estimate, attracted over 50,000 people.
Checks by Selangorkini found that the complex started to fill up at 4pm, and authorities kept close watch of the area.
Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Azrul Shah Mohamad said that the number of visitors to the 46th installation of the festival had increased compared to the figure recorded in 2019, which stood at about 45,000.
“After two years of not being able to hold the event due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival ran smoothly and was quite encouraging.
“The visitors had also adhered to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) by wearing face masks. That is one of the conditions set for large-scale events,” said Azrul when met at the festival, here yesterday.
[caption id="attachment_277377" align="alignright" width="300"]
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari accompanied by Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Takahashi Katsuhiko at the Bon Odori Festival at the Shah Alam National Sports Complex, Shah Alam, on July 16, 2022. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Meanwhile, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari had also witnessed the Japanese cultural celebration for some time.
According to Azrul, Amirudin held a brief discussion with the Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, Takahashi Katsuhiko, on enhancing bilateral ties between the two nations.
“InsyaAllah (God willing), based on the response, the programme organised by the Japanese Club Kuala Lumpur will continue next year,” he added.
On June 8, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj instructed the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) not to obstruct the Bon Odori festival.
Jais director Dato’ Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said that the religious state agency was also told by the Selangor Ruler not to restrict anyone from attending the event.
This was after the festival made the news on June 6 when the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Idris Ahmad, suggested that Muslims avoid attending the event because it incorporates aspects from other religions, based on a study conducted by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).
Following the statement, the Selangor Ruler suggested that Idris attend the programme to understand the difference between religion and culture.
