Earlier today, news of the annual Better Beer Festival being cancelled spread like wildfire online and gained polarising reactions from Malaysians all over social media.
It was confirmed earlier that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) received an application to hold the festival, which was supposed to take place in Publika from 6th to 7th October. However, DBKL decided to cancel the event but did not state the reason for doing so.
Source: Malay Mail
It is widely believed that this cancellation came about after the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) called the festival “shameful” and that it would make Kuala Lumpur “Asia’s vice centre”.
Since it was revealed that the festival was cancelled, Malaysians began voicing their opinions about the whole situation. Some Malaysians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, voiced their outrage against the ban.
Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook
However, some Malaysians were for the ban, claiming it was a way to look out for their non-Muslim friends and that the event was sinful.
Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook
Meanwhile, five Federal Territories MPs wanted DBKL to review their decision to cancel the event, saying that it succumbed to political pressure and ignoring the spirit of “multiracial goodwill” in the city, according to the Malay Mail. The five MPs issued a joint statement. An excerpt of that statement reads,
“We believe that by ‘protecting the rights of all’ means that each race can practise their culture and this social contract was agreed to by all parties as enshrined in our 1957 Constitution and in the 1963 Malaysia Agreement.”
“We regret that a local authority like DBKL is playing the role of a religious champion.”
Source: Thirst Kuala Lumpur
“Cancelling this event will adversely affect Malaysia’s tourism industry. Foreign tourists will not want to come here because the Malaysian government will be seen as an oppressive regime.”
“DBKL needs to understand its role is to give service to the public without being biased towards race and religion. It also has a role to promote Kuala Lumpur as a tourist destination.”
Meanwhile, PAS MP Datuk Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali praised DBKL for cancelling the event, saying that they “carried the aspirations of all Malaysians who reject the organisation of any immoral festival that damages the people.”
What do you think of this whole situation? Let us know!
Also read: Annual ‘Better Beer Festival’ in Publika Officially Gets 2017 Event Banned by DBKL
