PAS’ move against the Constitution, says Gerakan youth

PETALING JAYA: PAS’ move to get The Better Beer Festival cancelled is against the Federal Constitution and individual rights of non-Muslims, said Gerakan Youth Legal Bureau chairman Chai Ko Thing.

He said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) should not have bowed to political pressure inconsistent with laws protecting the rights of all communities.

“This was an attempt by PAS to push its political agenda by forcing the authorities to act in a manner inconsistent with the Federal Constitution and individual rights,” said Chai in a press statement.

He noted that a week prior to DBKL’s decision, PAS politicians had objected to the event by claiming the festival would encourage immorality and turn Kuala Lumpur into Asia’s vice capital.

He said the organiser stated the event was strictly for non-Muslims and had been organised for five years as an annual tourist event.

“There is no reason for DBKL to reject this year’s application,” he said.

He said PAS’ push for laws to be Syariah-compliant would affect non-Muslims and erode efforts to promote moderation and Malaysia’s diverse way of life.

Klang MP Charles Santiago said it was not too late for DBKL to reverse its decision to ban the festival.

“DBKL must revoke its ban on the festival,” he said, adding that failure to do so would be seen as the Government caving in to pressure from PAS for political gain.

“We have been seeing growing protests from PAS and other conservative groups against concerts by Western artistes, songs deemed too racy and even Valentine’s Day,” he said in a media statement.

Santiago noted PAS’ claim that the festival would promote vice and crime was unfounded.

“PAS should look at its own backyard. Kelantan is one of the two top states in viewing porn online, has a rising crime rate and the highest AIDS and drug addiction rates. It is also the poorest state in the peninsula,” he said.

The Better Beer Festival was supposed to have taken place from Oct 6-7 at Publika Shopping Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, featuring 250 different craft beers from 43 breweries worldwide.