Penang PAS wants state to cancel beach club Songkran event, slams 'Western-influenced lifestyle'

The Penang Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) called for the cancellation of a Penang beach club Songkran event.

In a statement on Facebook, Penang PAS expressed disappointment regarding Ferringhi Heart Beach Club's promotion of its Songkran event.

Songkran is the Thai New Year, celebrated every Apr. 13, and the beach club is holding a Songkran beach party from Apr. 12 to Apr. 13.

The party stated the event "clearly promotes activities that are indecent and degrade the human values".

It added that the "excessive hedonistic culture and lack of manners should not be allowed" as its "Western-influenced lifestyles" would lead to "moral decay in society".

They then urged the authorities and government to cancel the program and "monitor and prevent any other events that do not meet the appropriate standards."

According to Free Malaysia Today, a government Member of Parliament rebutted Penang PAS's statement, pointing out that it was inconsistent with its Kedah counterpart's support for Songkran to boost tourism.

"It has never posed a problem in the past, and it should not suddenly be painted as controversial now, unless the controversy is politically manufactured," she added.

Top photos via Canva & Ferringhi Heart Beach Club/Facebook