The Selangor government never approved the hosting of beer festival Oktoberfest in the state, says Selangor executive council member Iskandar Ab Samad.

This follows claims that the Selangor government gave it the nod when Abdul Khalid Ibrahim was menteri besar.

"There have been allegations that Oktoberfest approved by the Abdul Khalid Ibrahim administration and the four PAS exco members.

"This is not true. It was never tabled at the exco meeting," Iskandar (left) , who is also Selangor PAS commissioner, said on Facebook.

Yesterday, Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar criticised the Selangor government for allowing billboards in Shah Alam advertising the annual beer festival.

He said that this never happened when BN governed the state.

Originating in 19 th century Bavaria, Oktoberfest 2014 kicked off in Malaysia at a Subang hotel on Sept 24, and is held at various venues in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

The grand finale, to be held One Utama shopping mall at Petaling Jaya from Oct 10 to 12, is expected to attract 12,000 beer enthusists.

 

The Carlsberg Malaysia-organised festival was slammed by PAS’ Temerloh MP Nasruddin Hasan, who said that although non-Muslims have the right to consume alcohol, it should not be paraded as Malaysia is a Muslim country.

Undermines public peace

Agreeing, Selangor PAS information chief Zaidy Ab Talib (right) said the organisers should have been aware of religious sensitivities "before doing something that could undermine public peace and order".

He said the festival undermines multicultural harmony and is against societal norms and practices of any religion in the world.

As such, Selangor PAS urges the state and local authorities to take all action in its powers to stop the festival from being hosted at open venues and to place a ban on Muslim and underaged patrons.

"Selangor PAS also urges the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) to take stern action against those who erected illegal billboards promoting Oktoberfest at the Saujana Hotel Subang, although it was taken down three days later," he said.

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