German F&B party hangs in the balance

> Council gives organisers permit but has deferred event to seek cops’ clarification

PETALING JAYA: A German food and beverage festival that is slated to be held in Klang has now been deferred as Klang Municipal Council (MPK) seeks clarification from the police after having given the organisers the green light.

Selangor executive councillor Datuk Teng Chang Khim said the organisers had received a permit from MPK on Sept 28 to host the event but were later told to postpone it to an unspsecified date.

The F&B party that was slated to be held in a mall in Klang on Oct 12 and 13 became an issue after Selangor PAS objected to it.

“MPK had approved the application with 20 conditions, as well as imposing a RM400 deposit, which had not been paid as the local council said the event had to be postponed. We will see how it goes,” Teng told a press conference at his office yesterday.

“The organisers are of the stand that the event will proceed as they have already received the permit from MPK.”

Teng said the North Klang district police in a letter dated Sept 14 to the organisers said they had no objections to the event and even had supported the application.

He added the police had not issued any order of cancellation until now.

“The police has no authority to give out a permit for such business activity as it is under the jurisdiction of MPK,” Teng said.

“The Local Government Act did not stipulate that police approval was needed (to organise the event).”

Teng said the event would not cause any disturbance to public peace as it was strictly for nonMuslims.

North Klang district police chief ACP Mazelan Paijan on Saturday had dismissed the existence of the support letter, adding that police would not allow the event as alcoholic beverages would be served.

However, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun yesterday said the police had no power to cancel the event as it was under the authority of the respective local governments.

Recently, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall rejected an application to hold the Better Beer Festival 2017 at Publika on Aug 28 following similar objection brought up by PAS.

BERNAMAPIX HMAS Toowomba commanding officer Commander Stuart Watters at the launch of the Mastex 2017 exercise between the Royal Malaysian Navy and Royal Australian Navy at the Lumut naval base yesterday. Mastex is a yearly bilateral field training exercise.

Teng showing a letter from the Klang Municipal Council regarding the German F&B party yesterday.