‘Why not ban beer if it’s so bad’

In response to Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin's comment that beer was a problem to society, Zaid Ibrahim says rationale to just ban the festival is hypocrisy.

PETALING JAYA: Zaid Ibrahim has questioned the rationale in banning the beer festival when beer itself is not banned in the country.

Zaid, who is a former minister, was referring to the move by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) not to allow the controversial “Better Beer Festival 2017” event at Publika Shopping Gallery on Oct 6 and 7.

“If beer drinking is bad then why not ban it. Why just the festival? I call it hypocrisy,” Zaid said in a series of tweets in response to a Facebook post by Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin on the issue earlier today.

Asri had written that alcohol was considered bad by all rational people as it has become a problem to society.

“If some refuse or disagree with a beer festival, it does not mean he refuses or denies entertainment,” Asri said.

He was alluding to a comment that Zaid had made yesterday, in which the lawyer said those who are against the beer festival “prefer polygamy to entertainment and festivals”.

Asri had also criticised Zaid for bringing up the issue of polygamy, asking what has that got to do with a beer festival.

“Does a beer festival not lead towards free sex with women which will certainly dishonour all religions?

“On the other hand, a responsible polygamy has rules and responsibilities between a husband and his wives,” Asri said.

Zaid’s first response to Asri was that religion was not the issue.

“I am religious, just like Dr Maza. The difference is I believe in a democracy, and I respect freedom of choice,” Zaid said in his tweet, referring to Asri by his popular acronym.

“Polygamy has been abused many times over. Yet people like me never ask for a ban on polygamy. That’s my point,” Zaid said.

Yesterday, it was reported that DBKL had rejected the beer festival organiser, MyBeer Malaysia’s request for a permit to hold the event at Publika Shopping Gallery on Oct 6 and 7.

DBKL corporate communications director Khalid Zakaria was reported to have said that the council had rejected the organiser’s request for a permit.

Political leaders from Pakatan Harapan parties have come out condemning the move by DBKL, with DAP’s Klang MP Charles Santiago calling it a clear sign of creeping Islamisation. -FMT