KL beer fest ban slammed; critics say move will embolden extremists

KUALA LUMPUR — A decision by Kuala Lumpur authorities to bar an annual craft beer festival scheduled to be held next month has been roundly criticised, with a senior partner in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition warning that the move will embolden extremists in the country.

“DBKL must not be seen to be making decisions at their whims and fancy or cave in to political or extremist pressure,” said the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) spokesman Ti Lian Ker, using the Malay acronym for the local council.

“Otherwise, Malaysia and DBKL may be seen to be inconsistent and in disorder. Further, this may also encourage more radical and extremist pressure if DBKL is seen to be weak in upholding the law or their own public policies.”

The decision was also slammed by five opposition Members of Parliament (MP) from Kuala Lumpur, who said that the local council had bowed to political pressure while ignoring the spirit of “multiracial goodwill” in the nation’s capital.

DBKL had said in a statement yesterday that it has rejected the application for a permit by the organisers of the “Better Beer Festival 2017”. “If the organisers continue with the event without DBKL’s approval, action will be taken in accordance to existing laws,” it added. It was the latest sign of creeping conservatism in Malaysia, where critics say increasingly vocal Islamic hardliners and politicians are eroding a traditionally moderate brand of the religion.

Mybeer, the company organising the event, said that it was informed by DBKL officials that the decision was made “due to the political sensitivity surrounding the event”.

The opposition Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) had claimed the event would encourage immorality and lead to criminal acts, free sex and rape.

Mr Riduan Mohd Nor, a member of PAS’ central committee, added that “it is something that is shameful for an Islamic country like Malaysia”.

Opponents of the beer festival also launched a campaign on Facebook to block the event, which would have entered its sixth year.

Around 6,000 people had been expected to attend the two-day festival, which would have featured craft beers from at least 11 countries.

The PAS regularly protests against such festivals with varying success, insisting that they could encourage Muslims to join, despite organisers prominently stating that these are only for non-Muslims.

The party has also urged national carrier Malaysia Airlines to stop serving alcohol on all its flights.

DBKL’s move was praised by Mr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali, a PAS MP for Kuala Nerus, who said that the decision “carried the aspirations of all Malaysians who reject the organisation of any immoral festival that damages the people.”

“It is hoped this will be a reminder to anyone to wishes to make Malaysia a hub of immoral activities,” he added. AGENCIES