KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — The Selangor Islamic authority today warned Muslims in the state against selling or drinking beer during Oktoberfest, and urged the organisers of the annual beer festival to take note of “religious sensitivities” here.
The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) echoed claims by some local Muslims that alcohol is the “mother of all vices”, saying that it “strictly forbids” the drinking of wine and intoxicating drinks.
The authority also issued a reminder to Muslims that they may face court action if they are caught consuming alcoholic beverages.
“Any Muslim found to have done this can be detained and prosecuted under Sections 18 (1) and 18 (2), Syariah Criminal Offences (Selangor) Enactment 1995,” the religious enforcers said when citing the state law that applies only to Muslims.
Under Section 18 (1), Muslims that drink any intoxicating drinks in public places face a maximum fine of RM3,000 and a maximum two-year jail term or both.
Under Section 18 (2), a Muslim who sells, exhibits or offers for sale, or keeps or buys any intoxicating drinks will face a maximum fine of RM5,000 and a maximum three-year jail term or both.
The state religious authority said Islam has forbidden the act of drinking alcohol and that this “mother of all vices” was one of the causes of numerous social ills.
It added that the harmfulness of alcohol and the negative impact on the drinker’s health was clear for all to see.
Jais was weighing in on the hot-button Oktoberfest issue, referring specifically to brewer Carlsberg Malaysia’s celebration that started on September 24 and culminates with an October 10-12 event in Petaling Jaya’s 1Utama mall.
“Jais urges the organisers to be more sensitive of the socio cultural and religious sensitivities in this country,” the statement signed by Datuk Bakhtiar Hussin on behalf of Jais’s director-general said, but did not pinpoint any organisers.
Several Muslim groups, including Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), have taken aim at Oktoberfest this month after sighting billboards in Shah Alam ― a majority-Malay city ― promoting the event, though the festival is scheduled this weekend at a shopping centre in Petaling Jaya, a multi-racial metropolitan city.
The Muslim groups claimed that the event — which is promoted to non-Muslims — will tarnish Malaysia’s image as an “Islamic country” and “bring ruin” to the nation.
In today’s statement, Jais also requested that local authorities take action against those who were found wilfully flouting existing regulations. It did not provide further details but could have been alluding to the billboards which have since been taken down as they were not approved by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA).
Oktoberfest is held annually in Malaysia with the two biggest breweries Guinness Anchor Bhd (GAB) and Carlsberg Brewery Bhd holding several drinking parties in major towns nationwide.
Oktoberfest was originally celebrated in Munich, Germany to accompany horse races, but has grown into “the world’s largest funfair”, attracting millions of visitors every year.
