Enforcers stationed at Oktoberfest in Jonker Walk to prevent Muslims from drinking

The Malacca State Government will place its enforcers at the Oktoberfest scheduled to be held in Jonker Walk on Oct 18 to prevent Muslims from consuming alcohol.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said stern action would be taken against those found to drink alcohol at the event.

"I want to give the assurance that we will make sure no Muslims are allowed to consume alcohol there and we will take stern action if there are reports of it happening," he told reporters after the award-presentation ceremony held in conjunction with the 76th birthday of Malacca Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob at Dewan Seri Negeri here Saturday.

However, he said, the state government was not stopping non-Muslims from consuming alcohol during the event because there were no legal provisions against that.

On the call by the head of the Malacca PAS Ulama Council, Zulkifli Ismail Muhammad on Friday urging the Malacca state government to take action to stop the event, Idris said: "I do not know why it is called an alcohol party".

He said the programmes which would be held during the event appeared to encourage foreign tourists to visit Malacca.

He said PAS leaders and supporters should keep an open mind as they lived in a multi-racial society, taking into account the spirit of "for them their religion and for us our religion".

Earlier 353 people were conferred awards from the Malacca state government, led by Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof who received the Darjah Gemilang Seri Melaka (DGSM) which carries the title 'Datuk Seri'.

Three people were awarded the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM) which carries the title 'Datuk' including Tabung Haji chief operating officer Datuk Seri Kamarudin Mat Ali and the Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim.

There were 21 recipients of the Darjah Pangkuan Seri Melaka (DPSM) award, which also carried the title 'Datuk', including Permatang Pauh Umno division chief Datuk Mohd Zaidi Said; Special functions officer to Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Tengku Azman Tengku Zainal Abidin; Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB) chief executive officer Datuk Dzulkifli Fadzilah and president of the umbrella union for civil servants,(Cuepacs) Datuk Azih Muda.

Another 16 people were conferred the Darjah Seri Melaka; Bintang Cemerlang Melaka (32); Bintang Khidmat Terpuji (65); Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (125); Pingat Bakti Masyarakat (76) and Pingat Khidmat Lama (14).