Security & safety prioritised: Professional judgement by police in not supporting Beer Fests

The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) should be praised for their professionalism, speed and efficiency in successfully apprehending three IS-linked suspects in Kelantan, thereby demonstrating their outstanding performance in countering terrorism. If fact, Bukit Aman’s Counter Terrorism Division has repeated detected terrorist plans in advance and foiled their plans to cause carnage. PDRM’s feats are internationally recognised which once again confirms their talent and ability.

Bukit Aman’s Counter Terrorism pre-empting the trio from targeting the Beer Fest confirms their withholding of approval for the Better Beer Fest in Publika Shopping Gallery in Kuala Lumpur and German F&B Fest in Klang, as it was for the sake of protecting lives and property to ensure societal peace and stability.

According to information relayed by the Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, the trio, one of whom had ties with the “Gagak Hitam” IS cell responsible for the Bovida bar bombing last year, had planned to launch attacks against the Better Beer Festival, places of worship and entertainment outlets in Klang Valley.

Unfortunately, for the sake of scoring political mileage, some Opposition members had constantly questioned the authority and professional judgement of the police, slandering the police as unprofessional. Politicking over a very serious matter which could have costed lives and limb, these Opposition politicians should apologise to the rakyat and the police, as they are drumming up politicking merely for the sake of playing politics, rather than safeguarding security.

MCA reaffirms our consistent position that the rights of non-Muslims are enshrined in the Federal Constitution and cannot be violated. Our party remains determined in defending the rights and freedom of non-Muslims, including the right to drink.

At the same time, protecting the lives and properties of the public, maintaining safety and security is a huge responsibility of the government. If a government is unable to safeguard people’s safety and security, and fails to ensure peace and order in society, all other rights and freedoms will become meaningless.

The MCA President Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai had previously expressed the party’s principles that the rights and freedoms of non-Muslims must be safeguarded. Nevertheless, upon the expert and professional advice by the police who had explained that lives and properties are at stake, it made sense for the police to decline approval for the Better Beer Festival.

Senator Dato’ Chai Kim Sen
MCA Publicity Bureau Chairman
MCA Deputy National Organising Secretary

-MCA online-