DAP leaders slam Hindu Sangam for supporting beer fest ban

DAP leaders today slammed the Malaysian Hindu Sangam for supporting the Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) recent ban on the "Better Beer Festival 2017."

Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy said beer companies have been operating in Malaysia for "ages", and urged supporters of the ban to consider the fate of the companies' workers if they were to fold.

"Tell us what kind of security threats are we facing due to this beer festival?" asked the Prai assemblyperson.

He was referring to the reason given by the police to justify banning the event, although DBKL had initially said it was canned due to political sensitivities.

"If everything is banned because it is sensitive, then one day, temple activities, may also meet the same fate."

Ramasamy's remarks in a response to a recent interview by RS Mohan Shan, the President of the Malaysian Hindu Sangam, to Utusan Malaysia, saying that such (alcoholic-beverage) festivals cannot be held in open spaces, as it might create a "negative culture" among youths, and also pose a threat to racial harmony among the different races in Malaysia.

Mohan had also said that Hinduism forbids alcohol consumption, what more in an open manner.

Ramasamy said Mohan should just zip it and do something more beneficial in his association, rather than talking about an area which he has no expertise in.

"Perhaps he (Mohan) does not drink, but who is he to judge others, or tell others not to drink, or attend the beer festival?" asked Ramasamy, who also claimed to be a teetotaller.

Meanwhile, Seberang Perai municipal councillor Satees Muniandy asked since when did Mohan become the spokesperson for Hindus in Malaysia.

He said although the religion discourages its adherents from consuming alcohol, there is no religious directive that outright bans the practice.

“Hinduism is an extremely tolerant religion. It does not impose its doctrine on non-Hindus. Hindus who smoke and drink must assume responsibilities for their own action,” he said, in a statement today.

Therefore, Mohan should only speak in his personal capacity, and not on behalf of other Hindus, said the Batu Kawan DAP secretary.