PAS’ new councillor wants ban on Oktoberfest, vice outlets

(The Star) – Selangor PAS’ newly-installed executive councillor Zaidy Abdul Talib wants to close massage parlours, prostitution and gambling dens in the state.

He said in a statement that there are about 15,000 such outlets in Selangor.

“Selangor PAS exco members will attempt to close all centres involved in vice activities like gambling, massage parlours, disco, pubs and prostitution,” said Zaidy, who is Infrastructure, Public Amenities and Agro-based Industry chairman.

Zaidy, who is Templer assemblyman and state PAS information chief, was commenting on suggestions to ban the Oktoberfest beer festival which critics said “touches on the sensitivities of Muslims in Malaysia.”

He said Islam is not against non-Muslims consuming alcohol because it’s their right.

However, he said, the festival was being held on a large scale and publicised through advertisements in shopping malls and billboards.

“Selangor has never approved this programme. This can be deemed as an attempt to challenge the harmony that exists in the state.

“The government will attempt to push through the allocation of power that the state government and local councils have in order to ban or move the festival to another venue,” he said.

He urged the Shah Alam Municipal Council to act against the billboards advertising the festival near the Saujana Hotel Subang.