DAP: Beer festival ban sign of creeping Islamisation

Klang MP Charles Santiago says KL City Hall’s move not to allow beer festival is a blow to our multi-religious country, and puts rights of non-Muslims at stake.

(FMT) – The action by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) not to allow the controversial “Better Beer Festival 2017” is a clear sign of creeping Islamisation, says DAP’s Charles Santiago.

Criticising DBKL over the move, the Klang MP said it was a blow to our multi-religious country and also puts the rights of non-Muslims at stake.

“We have been seeing growing protests from Islamists PAS and other conservative groups against concerts by Western artistes, songs deemed too racy and even Valentine’s Day celebrations.

“Such radical elements are dangerous in a multiracial, multi-religious country such as Malaysia, where the Federal Constitution guarantees civil liberties for all citizens,” Santiago said in a statement.

Yesterday, it was reported that DBKL had rejected the beer festival organiser, MyBeer Malaysia’s request for a permit to hold the event at Publika Shopping Gallery on Oct 6 and 7.

DBKL corporate communications director Khalid Zakaria was reported to have said that the council had rejected the organiser’s request for a permit.

“If the organiser proceeds with the event, we have the right to take action to the full extent of the law,” Khalid was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.

In response, MyBeer Malaysia released a statement, in which it said that they were told by the authorities that the event was “politically sensitive” and therefore could not proceed as scheduled.

Santiago said the move by DBKL was the latest example of authorities making arbitrary, spur of the moment decisions.

“However, DBKL hasn’t seen it fit to give a concrete reason for its decision, only informing the organisers that the ban is due to the political sensitivity surrounding the event.

“This screams of political pressure as PAS had labelled the beer festival as a ‘vice festival’ and alleged it could lead to an increase in crime, rape and illicit sex,” Santiago said.

PAS central committee member Riduan Mohd Nor had reportedly questioned the authorities on what guarantee they could give to members of the public who are not participating in this annual event, “to ensure their safety from crime, free sex, rape and so on”.

The PAS leader had also warned that Kuala Lumpur could one day be known as Asia’s vice centre if such events are not stopped.

Santiago chided PAS for not basing its arguments on statistics and facts.

“No such incidents were reported since the festival started in 2012, with the nod from the DBKL,” Santiago said, criticising the government for choosing politics over the liberties of its citizens.

“As the general election is around the corner, the federal government needs PAS as an ally to garner Malay votes.”

Santiago then took aim at PAS over the statistics that have been reported on Kelantan, the state that it governs.

“It would do PAS good to look into its own backyard. Kelantan is one of the two top states for viewing porn online.

“The east coast state also has an increasing crime rate and one of the highest cases of AIDS and drug addiction. It also remains the poorest state in the Peninsular,” he said.