Despite having reportedly ordering a ban on beer festivals, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi now says it is a police operational matter.

As such, Zahid told reporters in Bangi today, that questions on the matter should be directed to inspector-general of police (IGP) Mohamad Fuzi Harun instead.

He said this when questioned on the timing of the ban, with the next general election being imminent, even though these beer events have been held annually for years, without incident.

“This is a very technical and operational question. I think the question should be directed to the IGP,” Zahid said in reply to reporters...