IN his latest stunt, Red Shirts leader Jamal Md Yunos today smashed 20 cartons of beer in front of the Selangor state secretariat building as a sign of protest against the state government for considering applications to hold a beer festival in the state.

Jamal told The Malaysian Insight that he wanted to hand over the beer cartons to Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali and his exco members, and tell them that it was okay for them to consume alcohol in their offices or homes, but not elsewhere.

However, the Sungai Besar Umno division chief was locked out of the state secretariat building.

He then proceeded to smash the beer cartons before driving away.

“We are protesting that the state government should not allow festivals associated with beer, as they will corrupt the minds of the youth here.

“We came here to hand the beers to them, so that if they want to get drunk, they can get drunk in their office or their homes, but not elsewhere.”

Azmin said the approval for a German food and beverage (F&B) festival at a supermarket in Klang next week will be granted only if the organiser meets the rules and regulations.

He said prior to this, he had approved similar programmes because the organisers fulfilled the terms and conditions, including those outlined by the Klang Municipal Council (MPK).

Azmin was referring to the Centro German F&B Festival, where alcohol would be served, scheduled to be held on October 12 and 13.

Jamal, however, said his protest today was not about religion or culture but against immoral activity.

“If they want to drink alcohol they can do it in the pubs until they are dead, but don’t have festivals or promote beers.

“It is not a good habit of consuming beer. This event should not be encouraged. Drinking beer is not about religion or culture but it is an immoral activity.

“We don’t mind if they have a fruit festival or any other festival that does not have alcohol.”

Jamal is not the only one protesting against beer festivals in Selangor.

Bersatu’s Selangor Youth wing collected more than 10,000 signatures in an online petition objecting to the German beer festival Oktoberfest.

It was reported that the wing plans to hand over the petition to Azmin, local councils and also the Pakatan Harapan leadership.

Earlier this week, Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said police stood firm on their decision not to allow the event to be held after receiving information that militants may sabotage the beer festival in Selangor.

Fuzi said he had advised MPK not to allow such events to take place in areas under its jurisdiction. – October 5, 2017.