Khalid: You can have Oktoberfest, but …
Federal Territories minister says organisers must adhere to guidelines set by City Hall.
KUALA LUMPUR: Khalid Samad today gave the green light for organisers to hold Oktoberfest, a beer festival, in the city, but said they needed to adhere to guidelines set by City Hall (DBKL).
The Federal Territories minister said this included barring Muslims from participating and that such events are not held in public spaces.
“Organisers must follow the guidelines,” the Amanah MP told reporters here.
He was asked to comment on claims that a shopping mall in the city will play host to an Oktoberfest-related event.
Oktoberfest had previously drawn criticism, with PAS, among others, objecting to the beer festival, which originates from Munich, Germany.
Last year, the authorities cancelled the Better Beer Festival 2017, held in conjunction with Oktoberfest, citing security reasons.
Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said militants were planning to sabotage the festival, while the event’s organisers, MyBeer Malaysia, said they were told by authorities that the beer fest was “politically sensitive”.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur mayor Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan said to date, DBKL had not received any application for an Oktoberfest event at the mall, although City Hall will investigate the claim.
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“If they want to organise any event, they need to apply for it and follow the guidelines.”