German F&B Party swinging like a pendulum due to permit issue

KLANG: The issue of the Centro German F&B Party is lurching like a drunk even before it can be held with many in power pulling in different ways.

The state says the organisers can go ahead and hold the event because they have a permit from the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) and the police have lent their support.

Senior Selangor exco member Datuk Teng Chang Khim (pic) said the North Klang district police headquarters had not rescinded its support letter dated Sept 14.

However, the North Klang police had sent a letter dated Sept 28, saying they wanted the approval letter back because it was meant to be sent to MPK and not the organisers, added Teng.

“The police only said the letter was sent to the wrong recipient and never mentioned anything about it being revoked,” said Teng.

MPK had issued the organisers a permit to hold the party based on the police support letter, said Teng.

He also said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun had clarified that the decision to allow or cancel such events came under the jurisdiction of the respective local councils and police would ensure security measures if the council gave its approval.

However, MPK president Datuk Mohd Yazid Bidin now says the organisers of the event did not have the council’s approval – technically – to hold the event.

“There are 20 conditions the organisers must meet and one of it is getting approval from the police, which they do not have now,” said Yazid.

The twists and turns on the F&B Party have been ongoing since Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s instruction to the police to pull the plug on the controversial Better Beer Festival 2017.

Dr Ahmad Zahid clarified later that the matter was up to the police.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Fuzi also said police should not be blamed for any cancellation of the Better Beer Festival 2017.

“I have been receiving many calls blaming us for this but it is not up to us. We can only advise,” he said after attending the 2017 Warriors’ Day celebration.

He said the decision rests with the local council.

However, Mohamad Fuzi stressed that there was intelligence indicating a militant threat.

The event had been slated for Oct 6 and 7 at Publika in Kuala Lumpur.

The Kuala Lumpur City Hall announcement came a week after PAS central committee member Dr Riduan Mohd Nor spoke out against the event, calling it a pesta maksiat (vice festival).