MCA president defends party's stance on Better Beer Festival

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has hit out at DAP for questioning MCA's stand to respect the decision of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to reject the application to organise the Better Beer Festival 2017 for security reasons.
"Before this, there was no Daesh or IS, but this whole region is under security threat," Liow told a press conference after officiation the 2017 Selangor MCA convention here today.
"Now, because of security reasons, there are some people who tried to manipulate saying that MCA is not able to clear the air,
"I've already cleared the air, my principle is clear. When it comes to politics and religion, we (MCA) will defend our rights based on the constitution. But this is due to security concerns, so we acknowledge the effort made the police," he said.
The Better Beer Festival slated to be held next month was not allowed to go on because the police have "security concerns" involving militants who were planning to sabotage the event.
On Sept 18, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said it had rejected the organiser's application to hold the event after receiving an application for a permit on Aug 28.
In GEORGE TOWN, a DAP parliamentarian has urged the Immigration Department to retract its order immediately on blocking foreigners coming for the beer festival.
Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik said any tourist visiting the country should be allowed to join in the feast provided it takes place on private premises and in accordance with regulations.
He said it was uncalled for to bar foreigners coming into the country for the festival and hoped the authorities would quash any such move.
Ng, nonetheless, was puzzled why the Merdeka parade and SEA Games closing ceremony held last month were not cancelled when information on terrorism was received.