He added that the Selangor government would refer the matter to the state Islamic authorities.

This comes in the wake of the advice given by religious affairs minister Idris Ahmad for Muslims to not participate in the annual festival.

According to a Berita Harian report, Amirudin said the state government would be in communication with the Japanese embassy and researchers in relevant fields to get detailed information on the festival since the government had never received any objections over the last 30 years.

Yesterday, Idris advised Muslims not to participate in the festival, saying research conducted by the Islamic development department (Jakim) found that the festival was influenced by elements of other religions.

The annual Bon Odori festival, organised by the Japanese community in Malaysia, is making a return after a two-year hiatus because of Covid-19. It is celebrated by the Japanese Buddhist community to honour their ancestors.

The festival is set to take place in Selangor at the Shah Alam National Sports Complex (Panasonic) on July 16 and in Penang on July 30.

The Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur, one of the organisers, describes the Bon Odori festival as having started out as “a small affair for Japanese expatriates to immerse their children in Japanese culture in 1977. It has now grown into a much-awaited annual event of about 35,000 participants each year.”