Oktoberfest should not be allowed – minister
PARLIAMENT | A beer festival that is open to the public should not be allowed in Malaysia, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Idris Ahmad.
“Regarding Oktoberfest, all parties should respect the rules and laws of Malaysia that is based on Islam as the religion of the federation,” he said.
“Although non-Muslims are not forbidden from consuming alcohol, the government is of the view that turning alcohol consumption into a festival that...
PARLIAMENT | A beer festival that is open to the public should not be allowed in Malaysia, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Idris Ahmad.
“Regarding Oktoberfest, all parties should respect the rules and laws of Malaysia that is based on Islam as the religion of the federation,” he said.
“Although non-Muslims are not forbidden from consuming alcohol, the government is of the view that turning alcohol consumption into a festival that is done openly to the public should not be allowed because it causes social problems since alcohol is seen as being capable of affecting harmony, tranquillity, and public security.”
Idris said alcohol causes domestic violence, traffic accidents, poverty, fights, health problems, and poor work performance.
He said this while answering a question from Lim Guan Eng (Harapan – Bagan) at the Dewan Rakyat today.
The DAP chairperson had asked the prime minister to state the government’s stance regarding the Bon Odori festival and Oktoberfest, which are cultural events that are, respectively, of Japanese and German origin.
Lim said these festivals had been held in Malaysia for decades without troubling anyone or damaging the morals of its attendees.
Previously, before becoming part of the government, PAS had vehemently opposed Oktoberfest even if it was held behind closed doors.
“No matter what conditions are imposed to enable it, it is still unacceptable,” said then PAS ulama chief Mahfodz Mohamed in 2018.
As for Bon Odori, PAS said the government is not opposed to it being held but only advises Muslims not to get involved.
Idris said the Islamic Development Department’s studies and preliminary observations found that it contains elements similar to other religions and rituals that are not in line with Islam.
Despite this, the recent Bon Odori festival in Shah Alam drew tens of thousands of revellers, including many Muslims.
Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has rejected criticism towards Bon Odori and asked religious enforcement agencies to see the festival for themselves to make an assessment.
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