Confusion over permit for festival

KLANG: Selangor government leaders are making contradictory statements over the permit for the Oktoberfest event.

Selangor Mentri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali said there was a possibility of not issuing a permit to the organisers if they did not adhere to the guidelines.

“We have not received approvals for the festival from the agencies concerned, so if the organisers comply with the guidelines, the police and Customs will give the approval,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

However, Selangor executive councillor in charge of local government Ean Yong Hian Wah said the organisers met all guidelines set by local councils for previous beer festivals.

He said the guidelines to organise such events were the same, and that no new law had come into force.

“The organisers were informed about this, and therefore there is no reason why they should not be given the permit if all guidelines are met,” he said in a statement yesterday.

MCA central committee member Chew Kok Woh said PAS’ intolerance of Oktoberfest was due to its growing influence in Selangor.

“Oktoberfest has been going on for a long time without any controversy. Why has it become an issue this year?” he asked.

“This is a result of having PAS elected representatives in the state government,” said the Sabah MCA liaison secretary in a statement yesterday.

Chew said DAP should shoulder the responsibility over the issue because it influenced Chinese voters to support PAS in the last general election.

He also spoke of how Temerloh MP Nasrudin Hassan, who was a former PAS Youth chief, was known for his “outrageous” views on concerts held by international artistes.

In the past, Nasrudin tried to stop shows by foreign acts such as Adam Lambert and Avril Lavigne. He also protested against the 2012 concert by Elton John here.

“Non-Muslims have the right to enjoy Oktoberfest,” Chew said.

“Moderate Malaysians don’t want to see extremism practised here. Do we have to come to a point where non-Muslims have to hide when consuming alcohol?” he asked.

Oktoberfest, a German beer festival that is also held in Malaysia, became a controversy when PAS got upset over the event in Selangor.

PAS information chief Zaidy Abdul Talib said Oktoberfest was disrespectful of the religious and cultural sensitivities of Muslims.

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