An MCA central committee member has blamed DAP for Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) decision to reject the application for "Better Beer Festival 2017."

In a statement today, Jason Teoh said DBKL's decision to bar the event stemmed from protests by leaders from PAS – DAP's former ally.

He argued that PAS was now "empowered" after DAP had campaigned for them during the previous two general elections.

"PAS, which was empowered by Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng over the last two general elections, does not only find themselves in the 'kingmaker' position in the next general election but is also capable of influencing decisions like these.

"This is what happens when you empower extremists and DAP has to shoulder the blame and accept that it is because of them, extremists have grown so powerful in the country.

"So, I urge DAP leaders to stop putting up an act to defend the rights of non-Muslims when it was their actions that led to where we stand now," said Teoh.

Teoh said that the canceling of the event, which had been hosted without a hitch between 2011 and 2016, made it seem as though "extremism had prevailed."

"The rights of non-Muslims enshrined by the Federal Constitution were completely and utterly ignored in the decision by the DBKL to reject the organisers' permit application," he added.

The Better Beer Festival promotes products of small breweries. It was scheduled to take place in October at a popular shopping mall next month.

Although it had been held without much fuss in recent years, it fell under the spotlight after PAS central committee member Riduan Mohd Nor claimed that it would lead to reprisals by extremists.

He also claimed that the event would lead to social ills such as rape and sex out of wedlock.

Meanwhile, DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok said MCA president Liow Tiong Lai has made himself a laughing stock after accepting DBKL's decision a day after criticising it.

"Yesterday, Liow said DBKL should now allow a person's opinion to guide their policy because this would make Kuala Lumpur a laughing stock.

"Now, Liow said he respects DBKL's decision. He is contradicting himself and making himself a laughing stock," said Kok.

She said that Liow's excuse – that there were security concerns behind DBKL's decision – was unacceptable, because it was not the first time the event was held.

"(The excuse) only shows DBKL and the government's failings (to ensure security)," he said.