SHAH ALAM, Oct 8 — The Selangor government today denied any role in approving Oktoberfest, with a state executive councillor saying the issuance of any approval permits for the annual beer festival lies within the jurisdiction of the local city councils.
Selangor state executive councillor in charge of local government Ean Yong Hian Wah said the Oktoberfest organisers could submit an application to the city council to hold the event but it would be subject to several conditions.
“The state government has never approved any authorisation to the organisers of this programme,” he said in a statement.
Ean Yong said the conditions include fixing signboards prohibiting Muslims from taking part in the event, ensuring there are no underage attendees, obtaining a liquor licence from the customs department and getting an approval from the police.
The DAP state lawmaker also confirmed that the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) has taken down the billboards promoting Oktoberfest as they had not been approved by the local city council.
Selangor PAS has demanded the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Selangor government to enact by-laws based on Shariah principles to stop future promotion of events where alcohol ― which is forbidden to Muslims ― will be served.
It also called on the state government and local town councils to make Section 18 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Selangor) Enactment 1995 as the main condition for approvals or permits in matters involving beer and hard liquor.
Several Muslim groups including Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) have taken aim at Oktoberfest this month, claiming the event will tarnish Malaysia’s image as an “Islamic country” and “bring ruin” to the nation.
Although the event is promoted to non-Muslims, several Muslim groups have urged their supporters to rally against the event and venues that serve alcohol as part of the festival.
The Muslim groups’ ire against Oktoberfest was raised at the sight of 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.
Oktoberfest is held annually in Malaysia with the two biggest breweries GAB and Carlsberg 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.
