THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) was not involved in a decision not to allow the song “O Holy Night” to be sung at a Sarawak Christmas function said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He said the MCMC had informed him that the Sarawak-owned television station TV Sarawak’s (TVS) licence condition is for live and delayed telecast.

“Prerecorded (content) does not require the MCMC’s approval. As such, MCMC is not involved in this decision-making process.

“LPF (the Film Censorship Board) is under the Home Ministry,” he said on X.

His comment comes in the aftermath of the Christmas programme aimed at showcasing Sarawak’s religious diversity, which turned controversial following the Association Of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) decision to decline an invitation to the event due to the organiser’s refusal to change one carol.

Anglican bishop of Kuching Danald Jute, who is the ACS president, in a letter to the organisers and Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) director Jack Aman Luat said the association had asked that TVS replace one song – “Jingle Bells Rock” with “O Holy Night”.

“We are only requesting to change one song. Since TVS is unable to fulfil this request, our team feels that we cannot participate in the programme,” Jute said.

Jute said TVS had explained that the traditional carol was “rejected due to the religious elements and also due to the protocol of LPF and MCMC.”

Jute said the explanation was unacceptable.

“Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is about Christ. There is no Christmas without Christ,” he said.

The ACS represents all the major Christian churches in the state.

Premier Abang Johari Openg is to be the guest-of-honour at the December 3 event, “A Christmas Carol, Sarawak In Diversity Programme” at Padang Merdeka in Kuching. – November 24, 2023.