KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Muslim Consumers’ Association (PPIM) has lauded Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for shutting down the planned ‘Better Beer Festival 2017′.
PPIM chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan said the impact of alcohol on society must never be underestimated.
He said it is important to keep in mind that alcohol and alcohol problems affect the health, safety, and well-being of the people.
“The use of alcohol is associated with an increased risk of injuries and accidents, not to mention numerous medical, psychiatric, social, and family problems.
“Even a single episode of excessive drinking can lead to a negative outcome.
“The image of beer-drinking people does nothing to help our society which, as it, has enough trouble of its own,” he told the NST.
Warning that alcohol consumption can lead to addiction which can be just as dangerous as drug abuse, he said alcohol consumption should not be promoted in any way.
Nadzim was commenting on the decision by DBKL to cancel the event, which was scheduled to be held on October 6 and 7 at the Publika mall in Solaris Dutamas.
Organised by Mybeer (M) Sdn Bhd, the annual Better Beer Festival had been shaping up to become the most anticipated beer festival in the city. The event was supposed to have featured 250 different craft beers from 43 breweries worldwide.
KL Mayor Datuk Seri Mhd Amin Nordin confirmed that DBKL had rejected the application to hold the event.
However, he declined to elaborate on the reasons for the rejection.
In a statement today, DBKL corporate communications director Khalid Zakaria said action will be taken against the organiser if it goes ahead with the event.
He said that the application for the activity at the place, time and date has been rejected by DBKL.
Khalid added that the application was received by DBKL on Aug 28.
The announcement came in the wake of opposition by Pas, which labelled the event as “pesta maksiat” (vice party).
Pas Youth deputy permanent chairman and party central committee member Dr Riduan Mohd Nor had expressed concern that the event would turn KL into the ‘largest vice centre in Asia”.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Mybeer had issued a statement expressing its disappointment with the rejection. Mybeer said the cancellation will prove upsetting to its patrons, business partners and sponsors.
The organiser said they were denied the application due to issues with licensing, based on its meeting with DBKL.
Mybeer also said they had been informed that the decision was made due to political sensitivities surrounding the event.
The first Better Beer Festival was held in 2012 at Taps Beer Bar in Changkat Bukit Bintang.