Minister: Sarawak has no problem hosting Oktoberfest

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has no issue with hosting Oktoberfest as it can boost tourism in the state, said Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (pic).

The Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister said Oktoberfest has always been viewed as a celebration of culture and not just a "beer festival."

He did not see why a German cultural festival could not be celebrated in the country, considering that Malaysian cultures are also showcased in other countries.

He said the festival is similar to the Gawai Dayak celebration, where plenty of food and drink are served.

"Oktoberfest is a cultural festival and there will be lots of food being served, and you know the Germans, it comes with beer.

"Down here (Sarawak), it has always been promoted as Oktoberfest and not as a beer festival. It is Oktoberfest, I don't see any problem with it because it is a celebration of culture," Abdul Karim told reporters after chairing a meeting Thursday on the Sarawak Regatta to be held here on Nov 17-19.

"When some extremists claim that Oktoberfest is a beer festival, I don't really agree," he said in response to protests by certain groups which were against beer festivals in the country.

PAS is seeking to stop the Oktoberfest event from being held at the One Utama Shopping Complex at Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

The Islamist party recently opposed the "Better Beer Festival" slated to be held from Oct 6-7 at the Publika Shopping Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, which was

subsequently cancelled by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) which cited security reasons.

Abdul Karim said it is not an offence to drink when celebrating Oktoberfest, but advised the people to know their limits and not get drunk.

He added that Oktoberfest is good for the state's tourism industry, while hoping that more domestic and international tourists would come down to Kuching and other towns across the state to enjoy the German festival.