In the wake of reports that the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) had given the go-ahead for the event, Mazelan said the MPK had specified obtaining a police permit as part of the conditions for the event to be held.
“Once we receive the application for a permit, we will seek the advice of the Selangor police headquarters and Bukit Aman’s special branch before making a decision,” he told FMT.
Yesterday, Sin Chew Daily reported that MPK had given approval for the Centro Mall German F&B Festival, but had banned any mention of the word “Oktoberfest” and barred Muslims from attending.
The green light was given on the condition that it would be a private event held at a private venue.
Earlier, Selangor PAS met with Mazelan to hand over a memorandum objecting to the holding of the event at Klang’s Centro Mall.
Speaking outside the police station, Selangor PAS Youth chief Syarhan Humaizi Abdul Halim, who led the group, said PAS objected to any alcohol fest, regardless of what it was called.
“I hope MPK will review its decision and take into account the views of the police in this matter.
“We hope the festival will not be held here or anywhere in the country,” he said, adding that the organisers should consider the sensitivities of those who were “uncomfortable” with the event.
Syarhan said it didn’t matter if the event was held at a private venue because the main concern was public safety and security, as cited by the authorities in their rejection of the Better Beer Festival in Kuala Lumpur.
The Centro Mall German F&B Festival had been planned for Oct 12 to 13, from 5pm to 11pm.
It is understood that the mall had organised similar events in previous years without any problems.
Centro Mall declined to comment.
The Better Beer Festival 2017 was initially slated to be held on Oct 6 and 7 at the Publika Shopping Gallery in Kuala Lumpur.
But DBKL rejected the organisers’ application to host the event, despite it having been held in Kuala Lumpur before.
Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun later said in a statement that the event was cancelled due to security reasons.
“We have information that militants are planning to sabotage the festival. To avoid any untoward incident, the police have to be proactive by objecting to the festival,” he said.
The event’s organisers, MyBeer Malaysia, previously said they had been told by authorities that the beer fest was “politically sensitive”.
This followed opposition to the event by PAS, with the Islamist party’s central committee member Riduan Mohd Nor labelling it as a “vice festival” and claiming that such events could lead to Kuala Lumpur becoming known as Asia’s vice centre.