GEORGE TOWN, April 8 -- The Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIPP) has ordered a Chinese temple association to cancel its planned Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house, saying the event is a Muslim religious activity that falls under the purview of the State Islamic Religious Council.

In a letter dated March 31, JHEAIPP director Datuk Marzuki Hassan informed the Thean Hock Keong association in Butterworth that it was "not permitted" to organise the event.

The department stated its decision was made after receiving a complaint from Persatuan Anak Jati Melayu Negeri Pulau Pinang over the event.

"As] the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri is one of the religious activities of the Muslim community, the Thean Hock Keong Associatio...