Oktoberfest just gimmick and not meant for Muslims, DAP MP tell critics

(Malay Mail Online) – Oktoberfest-themed events are marketing efforts by breweries rather than a celebration of drunkenness, a DAP lawmaker told Muslims claiming outrage over the annual festival.

The party’s national publicity secretary Tony Pua added that the beer festival should not offend sensitivities of the country’s Muslim community, as it was strictly targeted at non-Muslims.

“‘Oktoberfest’ should not be attacked with all sorts of excessive allegations because it is merely a small event used by alcoholic beverage companies to promote their drinks. This event has gone on for five years straight without any negative effects on Malaysians wherever they are,” he said in a statement.

Islamic NGOs and at least one MP from Islamist party PAS have demanded that the Selangor state government ban a public Oktoberfest-themed event at a shopping mall in Petaling Jaya this weekend, arguing that it is offensive and insulting to the Muslims.

The groups are expected to present an official memorandum of protest against the event to the Petaling Jaya City Council later today.

Pua today stressed that it is commonplace for non-Muslims to celebrate events – be it birthdays or weddings – with alcoholic beverages, and that they have the lawful right to do so.

He said the adverse reaction by those opposed to Oktoberfest has only caused negative emotions to flare up and a breakdown in tolerance among Malaysia’s plural society.

“It makes a sensitive issue out of something that should not be sensitive in our country. It also does not help in building a moderate country where communities respect each other,” he said, while urging event participants to drink responsibly.

Oktoberfest is held annually in Malaysia with the two biggest breweries GAB and Carlsberg holding several drinking parties in major towns nationwide.

Oktoberfest was originally celebrated in Munich, Germany to accompany horse races, but has grown into “the world’s largest funfair”, attracting millions of visitors every year.