MalayMail-July 28
The Oktoberfest event should not be openly celebrated and held as a festival open to the public, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad. In a Parliamentary written reply to DAP National Chairman Lim Guan Eng, Idris claimed that doing so would lead to social problems as alcohol can affect the harmony, order and safety of the community. “Although non-Muslims are not prohibited from drinking alcohol, the Government is of the opinion that this allowing this festival to happen and making it open to the public should not happen as it will cause social problems, as alcohol is seen to affect the harmony, order and safety of the community,” the MP from Islamist party PAS said. Lim had asked the Prime Minister to state the government’s stance in the celebration of Bon Odori and Oktoberfest, which are Japanese and German cultural events under the auspices of their respective embassies. PAS has consistently opposed Oktoberfest despite the event not being open to Muslims, with party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang previously saying that the Bavarian festival disrespects Muslim sensitivities. Previous iterations of Oktoberfest have been banned following complaints by PAS, coinciding with Umno’s overtures for cooperation with the Islamist party. Read more at: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/07/28/religious-affairs-minister-warns-oktoberfest-could-compromise-safety-of-community-if-open-to-public/19845
