‘Why ban beer festivals when alcohol is served on flights?’

On international flights you can get free beer, whisky, vodka, brandy and all others for free, says Shah Alam MP.

khalid-samad-beerfest-oktober-1 KUALA LUMPUR: An opposition leader has suggested switching the spotlight on beer festivals to alcohol being served on Malaysia Airlines flights instead.

Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad said instead of always attacking beer festivals, it was more apt for Muslims to talk about Malaysia Airlines which did not charge for alcohol served on board flights.

“There is no free beer at festivals and people have to pay high prices for it. If you want to make an issue, it is better to talk about Malaysia Airlines which gives alcohol away for free.

“Why do you talk about beer festivals that did not involve Muslims? Malaysia Airlines gives away alcohol for free and those that serve passengers are Muslims.

“On international flights, you can get free beer, whisky, vodka, brandy and all others for free,” he said while debating the Private Aged Healthcare Facilities and Services Bill 2017.

Khalid said he did not support these festivals but defended the rights of non-Muslims to have them.

“When we talk about Malaysian beer festivals, it does not mean people are violent like those festivals held in Brazil like Mardi Gras.

“These events here are controlled and usually held as a closed event and meant only for non-Muslims.

“They have this preconceived notion about these festivals that has been drilled into their heads.

“Let me remind you that people drive to these festivals and drive back after,” he said, maintaining that the rights of non-Muslims should not be questioned by Muslims as it did not concern them.

The Better Beer Festival 2017 was scheduled to be held on Oct 6 and 7 at the Publika mall in Solaris Dutamas here but was cancelled by KL City Hall (DBKL). It was supposed to have featured 250 different craft beers from 43 breweries worldwide.

The inaugural festival took place in 2012 at Taps Beer Bar in Changkat Bukit Bintang. In October last year, more than 3,500 craft beer lovers attended the event at Publika Shopping Gallery.