Concert should proceed if security concerns manageable, says ex-CM
Umno's Salleh Said Keruak says Sabah's religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence are traditions worth preserving.
Former Sabah Chief Minister Salleh Said Keruak has urged authorities to permit US gospel singer Israel Houghton's concert in Kota Kinabalu to proceed, provided security concerns can be appropriately managed. Keruak emphasized the importance of taking all relevant factors into consideration, including Sabah's history of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among diverse communities.
Houghton, a Grammy Award-winning artist with a large following among the Christian community, has won eight Grammy Awards, most recently for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album in 2026. The concert organizers have yet to submit a formal application to the state government, despite the event's dates, venues, and ticket prices already being advertised.
Sabah Police Chief Jauteh Dikun stated that the concert organizers had not yet submitted a formal application, and if they did, the police would advise the government to postpone the event. Dikun noted that Houghton's name and support for Israel have raised sensitivities within the community, resulting in two police reports being lodged regarding the concert's suitability.
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