US gospel singer Israel Houghton seen performing in Nigeria in a video posted on Instagram by the concert group The Experience.

PETALING JAYA: Warisan president Shafie Apdal, a former Sabah chief minister, has backed a proposed concert in Kota Kinabalu by US gospel singer Israel Houghton, citing the freedom of Sabah Christians to practise their faith peacefully and the need for mutual respect.

Shafie said the concert should proceed, subject to the required approvals and applicable rules.

“Supporting the freedom of Sabah’s Christians to attend the concert does not mean supporting every personal or political stance held by the artist or entertainer," he said in a statement days after Sabah police objected to the concert going ahead.