The Oktoberfest celebration in Penang next week will see non-alcoholic beverages served alongside their alcoholic counterpart, to address drink driving concerns and in keeping up with the current trend in Germany.
Malaysian-German Society (MGS) Oktoberfest chairperson Dr Wolfgang Mark said non-alcoholic drinks are now popular in Germany, as they are similar in taste to regular beer.
“Many have been drinking and driving after the Oktoberfest events, so we have decided to include alcohol-free beer. All can have a good (time) and not drive home drunk,” Mark said in a press conference.
The society, which has been organising the popular Oktoberfest event since 1973, will hold the festival at Jalan Air Itam in Penang, from Oct 13 to 14.
Mark said the event has been given a nod from the police and Penang Island City Council.
Around 3,000 people are expected to attend the two-day festival, which is aimed at promoting German culture and friendship between its people and the international community.
Annual 'festival of joy'
Penang is home to 800 Germans and the celebration is organised annually as a “festival of joy”, said Mark, adding that many German companies would partake in the event as well.
“It is not merely about beer, it is about our Bavarian harvest festival, good food and cultural exchange, and fostering goodwill between the people of Malaysia and Germany.
“We are aware of the current sentiments surrounding the Oktoberfest, so security and safety are paramount," he said.
“As with previous years, those attending the event would be subjected to strict security checks at the gate by 10 MGS members,” he added.
Fifteen Rela officers have been deployed to monitor and maintain the peace at the event, and to conduct traffic, while five police officers will be stationed at the premises.
According to him, the event is supported and would be attended by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, while the new German Ambassador Graf Nikolaus von Lambsdorff would be present as well.
Beer festivals have courted controversy in Kuala Lumpur, and now in Selangor, as well, with Muslim groups calling for a ban.
The police have also banned such festivals in Kuala Lumpur and in Petaling Jaya, citing security concerns. - Mkini
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