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KOTA BHARU – The organiser of a retro hippie-themed event that sparked controversy on social media has apologised and insisted the gathering was not a disco party as alleged.
A woman who identified herself as Fykaaschaa said she took full responsibility for organising the event and clarified that it was merely a small private gathering involving family members and close friends.
She said the phrase "Disco Retro" on the event poster referred only to the participants' dress code and did not reflect the type of entertainment held.
"I respect the laws of both the state and Federal governments. What happened was not as it has been portrayed online.
"The event was a small private gathering involving family members, close friends and a birthday celebration.
"Most of those who attended were married couples, families and children," she said in a statement posted on social media on Wednesday.
Fykaaschaa denied claims that the gathering involved immoral activities, alcohol-fuelled parties or the use of prohibited substances.
She stated that the participation fee was collected solely to cover the cost of the hall rental, food and games organised throughout the event.
According to Fykaaschaa, the issue went viral after a short video showing several attendees dancing was circulated online, although she stressed that it was not the main activity during the gathering.
"For us, it was simply a normal activity at any gathering. Our intention was only to spend time with family and friends to unwind, not to set up a disco club," she said.
At the same time, she clarified that an individual known as JL Fara was not the organiser of the event, contrary to claims circulating on social media.
Instead, she said JL Fara had only rented the hall to her for the gathering.
Fykaaschaa also apologised to the public if the programme had caused unease and said the local authorities had met with her to obtain an explanation.
"I take full responsibility to resolve this matter in the best possible way.
"Officers from Kota Bharu Municipal Council–Islamic City (MPKB-BRI) have also met us and I hope this issue will not be further sensationalised," she said.
Earlier, organisers of the retro disco and 1960s and 1970s hippie-themed event held at a restaurant along the Kelantan River here were reported to be facing up to eight years' imprisonment and a maximum fine of RM60,000 for allegedly organising the event without a permit and selling entertainment tickets without a valid licence.
Kelantan Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment Committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said investigations by the Licensing and Business Control Division together with the enforcement team from Kota Bharu Municipal Council–Islamic City (MPKB-BRI) found that the organisers had never submitted an application for approval to hold the programme.
He said the organiser was believed to have committed an offence under Section 7(1)(a) of the Kelantan Entertainment Control and Places of Entertainment Enactment 2025 for organising entertainment without a permit, which carries a fine of up to RM50,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
"The organiser is also suspected of breaching Section 20(1)(a) of the same enactment for selling entertainment tickets without a valid licence, which carries a fine of up to RM10,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Hilmi added that the premises owner could also face action for allegedly breaching business licence conditions under the Kota Bharu Municipal Council–Islamic City Business and Industrial Trade By-Laws 2019.