In a Sinar Harian report today, DBKL corporate communications director Khalid Zakaria said the council had rejected the organiser’s request for a permit to hold the event at Publika Shopping Gallery on Oct 6 and 7.
“If the organiser proceeds with the event, we have the right to take action to the full extent of the law,” he said, adding that DBKL had received a request for a permit from the organiser on Aug 28.
Recently, PAS central committee member Riduan Mohd Nor labelled the beer fest as a “vice festival”, saying such events could lead to Kuala Lumpur becoming known as Asia’s vice centre.
He also asked the authorities what guarantee they could give members of the public who did not participate in the annual event “to ensure their safety from crime, free sex, rape and so on”.
Activist-lawyer Azhar Harun however said PAS should provide statistics and proof to back its argument that the annual craft beer festival in Malaysia would increase crime rates in the city.
This would have been the third time the event was held in Kuala Lumpur. It was held in Bukit Bintang in 2012 and the Publika Shopping Gallery in 2016.
FMT has contacted the organiser of the beer fest, MyBeer Malaysia, and is awaiting a response on the issue.
The festival is set to showcase 250 different craft beers by 43 independent breweries from 12 countries, and also includes a variety of food and live performances.
Art Harun dares PAS to prove negative impact of beer festivals