Most Read
Most Commented
mk-logo
News
Stop politicising Johor's Oktoberfest ban, says state Harapan
Published:  Oct 17, 2018 5:40 PM
Updated: 10:09 AM

Johor Pakatan Harapan has urged all quarters to not politicise the state government's move to disapprove the holding of Oktoberfest celebrations.

State Harapan information and communications director Suhaizan Kayat, in a statement today, said Menteri Besar Osman Sapian's recent remark that the festival will not be allowed to be held in the state only applied to public venues, and not a blanket drinking ban on non-Muslims.

"The menteri besar explained that there shouldn't be any problem if non-Muslims drank at private premises (like a pub), as long as the said premises fulfil the set criteria.

"He said that there will be no licences issued for the festival to be held in public places, and this clearly shows that the state government only objects to the publicising of the festival, and not the consumption of alcohol by non-Muslims in general.

"Johor Harapan views seriously attempts by any party to portray the state government as not respecting non-Muslim rights by banning the sale of alcohol to the non-Muslims there," he said.

This was in response to a statement by Johor MCA Youth chief Ling Tian Soon (photo) calling Osman's opposition to the event "untenable" and "ignorant."

Ling told The Star that the approval for Oktoberfest is not about advocating drinking culture, but respecting the rights of the multi-ethnic community in the country.

“It shows that the state government does not respect non-Muslim rights with its increasingly extreme governing style,” he was quoted saying.

Suhaizan further urged all quarters to stop manipulating Osman's statement, in order to not raise interracial and inter-religious tension.

"The Johor state government is always willing to provide guidelines to any parties which would like to hold programmes involving the community's participation.

"At the same time, we have to respect rules and the sensitivities of our friends and neighbours.

"Issues like the holding of an alcohol festival should be handled carefully, and not manipulated into a polemic,' he said.

ADS