MCA hits back at party for criticism over largest beer festival

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS has gone on a warpath against a craft beer event touted as the country’s largest, calling it a pesta maksiat (vice party).

“We’re not willing to allow Kuala Lumpur to be known worldwide as the largest vice centre in Asia,” said PAS central committee member Dr Riduan Mohd Nor.

“What is the assurance of safety to be given to the public that there won’t be any crime, free sex, rape and so on?

“It is regretted that Malaysia is chosen for this beer festival although the organiser said it is for non-Muslims besides promoting tourism.

“Although Muslims are not the targeted crowd, there are no limits or obstructions for them to join,” he said in a statement via Harakah Daily yesterday.

The Better Beer Festival will be held here on Oct 6 and 7.

The organiser, craft beer distributors MyBeer, is expecting about 6,000 people for the event.

Dr Riduan claimed society’s hatred towards vice activities has to be taken seriously, instead of paying attention to a small group who wants to fulfil their desires.

He also warned that such events, if allowed to continue, might invite extremist actions by those “hurt” by what is happening.

In response, MCA religious harmony bureau chairman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker criticised PAS for not respecting the liberties of non-Muslims as provided for in the nation’s laws.

“PAS should not oversimplify social problems by selectively picking on certain events and saying these will lead to immoral acts, crime and violence.

“The number of illegitimate children, for instance, is higher in Kelantan than in other states, so this goes to show that morality and crime rates are not solely attributable to one event or two,” he said when contacted.

Ti added that it was “highly irresponsible” of leaders to use sensitivity or anger as a threat or to justify their own reactions to something.

“What they are doing is a form of intimidation. The spirit of Malaysia is founded on tolerance and as leaders we should advocate and practise this, instead of making extremist views,” he said.