Illustrative image (Source: Internet) Hanoi (VNA) - Malaysia has decided to cancel an annual craft beer festival in its capital of Kuala Lumpur after an Islamist party warned it would turn the city into the biggest centre of vice in Asia.
The organisers announced on September 18 that the festival would not go ahead due to licensing issues and the political sensitivity surrounding the event.
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall also confirmed the cancellation and said legal actions could be taken if it went ahead.
The “Better Beer Festival”, considered as Malaysia's biggest craft beer festival, was originally due to take place on October 6 and 7 at a shopping mall on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
However, the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), which often protests events seen as against Islam, warned last week that the event could lead to criminal acts, free sex and rape.
Drinking alcohol is common among the large ethnic minorities in Muslim-majority Malaysia but there have been a growing number of protests against activities and events seen as un-Islamic by politicians and hardliners.
About 60 percent of Malaysia's more than 30 million people are Muslims, and the country is also home to large communities of ethnic Chinese and Indian residents.-VNA
The organisers announced on September 18 that the festival would not go ahead due to licensing issues and the political sensitivity surrounding the event.
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall also confirmed the cancellation and said legal actions could be taken if it went ahead.
The “Better Beer Festival”, considered as Malaysia's biggest craft beer festival, was originally due to take place on October 6 and 7 at a shopping mall on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
However, the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), which often protests events seen as against Islam, warned last week that the event could lead to criminal acts, free sex and rape.
Drinking alcohol is common among the large ethnic minorities in Muslim-majority Malaysia but there have been a growing number of protests against activities and events seen as un-Islamic by politicians and hardliners.
About 60 percent of Malaysia's more than 30 million people are Muslims, and the country is also home to large communities of ethnic Chinese and Indian residents.-VNA
VNA
