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FORMER Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak said security concerns surrounding American gospel singer Israel Houghton’s planned concert in the state should be addressed so the event can go ahead.
Sabah police commissioner Jauteh Dikun had advised that the concert by Houghton and his group, Israel & New Breed, be postponed over concerns about the singer’s support for Israel.
At least two police reports have been lodged over the event, while organisers began promoting the concert before submitting the required documents.
In a statement today, Salleh said Jauteh’s concerns should be taken seriously, but other factors also needed to be considered, including Houghton’s following among Sabah’s Christian community.
“Sabah has always been known for religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among its multiracial communities. This is a tradition that should be preserved,” said Salleh, an Umno politician.
He said that if the security concerns could be managed reasonably, the focus should be on ensuring the concert was held peacefully and responsibly rather than stopping it altogether.
Houghton, an eight-time Grammy winner, is scheduled to perform in Sabah later this month.
However, there are conflicting dates for the concert. A post on the group’s social media page lists Oct 22, while a screenshot from a ticketing platform states that the event will be held on Oct 25. – September 30, 2026
