Drink if you want but no need for fests, NS MB advises non-Muslims

Weighing on the Beer Fest controversy, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said he had no objections to non-Muslims wanting to drink beer or other alcoholic drinks but discouraged organising of such festivals .

He said such festivals did not set a good example to the younger generation.

"I do not want to talk about religion but in terms of morals also it is not right. Just imagine youngsters seeing old folks struggling to stand because they are high on alcohol.

"Beer festivals started with the 'October Fest' in Germany... it just leads to chaos. Is this what we want in Malaysia? I don't think rational Malaysians will agree," he told reporters after chairing the weekly state executive council meeting here on Wednesday.

He was commenting on people complaining about the cancellation of the Beer Fest slated to be held in Kuala Lumpur at the end of the month.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall disallowed the festival after police advised that certain quarters planned to stage attacks on the revellers.

On the Seremban Market which was damaged by fire recently, he said efforts were being taken to get the repairs done by Chinese New Year next year.

He also said that three agencies, the state education department, the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Department and the state Fire Department had been tasked with ensuring that tahfiz schools in the state were free of fire risks.

Later at a separate funtion, the menteri besar presented incentives of RM100,000 each to Amirahman Abas and Normalina Alias, who had emerged as champions of the International Quran Recital Assembly.

Amirahman was the winner in the men's category in 2011 and 2014 while Normalina in the women's category last year.

-- BERNAMA