20 September 2017

Press statement by MCA Publicity Spokesman (English/Bahasa Malaysia) cum Religious Harmony Bureau Chairman Dato’ Sri Ti Lian Ker


Safety & Security, not Religion or Politics canned beer fest




1.       It is regrettable that the “Better Beer Festival” was canned, and speculations attribute this to PAS’ exerting its hardline beliefs over non-Muslims had  caused much dissatisfaction, angst and frustration.


2.       DAP as usual is quick to pick on MCA and exploit emotions to their advantage. We have to be rational and take into consideration the explanation given by the authorities/the police to the Cabinet members based on their intelligence and available information etc.

3.       Unlike DAP which will seize any opportunity to make MCA look bad even if it is at the expense of risking the community, MCA President Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai should be lauded for having the moral and courage to take the bull by the horns by questioning the rationale of the non-approval of the "Better Beer Festival " by DBKL publicly.

4.       Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai had earlier asserted that MCA will not accept DBKL’s decision if it is based on religious sensitivity or in disregard to the rights and freedoms of non-Muslims. He has put his foot down (as he has done before over the Act 355 issue) despite knowing that this will not sync well with his largely Muslim voters.

5.       Upon due explanations by the police who are tasked to ensure public safety and national security and upon the assurances that DBKL denied the organiser’s application due to security and safety considerations and NOT due to any change of policies or pressures by PAS, MCA as a responsible party, has to respect and give the benefit of doubt to the intelligence and expertise of our police.

6.       MCA will reject DBKL’s decision if the application’s rejection was due to “political reasons” or “religious sensitivities.”

7.       However, MCA is convinced that there are real security issues and there are clear and present dangers that the "Better Beer" event will be targeted by IS militants, etc.

8.       As a responsible party and government, we cannot gamble with public security or put the public at risk. We cannot take for granted that IS militants are now targeting Malaysia and in particular Non-Muslims for attacks to drive across their points and views.

9.       Our party President has conveyed unequivocally that: It is not that we agree, but we note the view of the authority when the application was made because this will create a problem on safety issue for the people.

The Constitutional rights of non-Muslims is intact and will not be compromised.

10.      We are not surprised that DAP Vice Chairman Teresa Kok has immediately seized the opportunity to attack MCA President Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai as this is typical of DAP. It is their habit and culture to demonise MCA and exploit all circumstances to their advantage at all times without regard to national harmony or security.

11.      Dare DAP shoulder any responsibility if there's any untoward incidents during the Beer Fest or will they blame it on MCA too? After Teresa Kok, it will not be surprising that other DAP MPs will jump on the bandwagon to lynch mob our MCA using the same stereotype lingo or verbal fire.

12.      Lest we forget, let me remind or jolt DAP’s memory on these incidents and/or Bukit Aman’s Counter Terrorism Division’s public information:

a) Suspected Islamic State (IS) militant detained in Bagan Serai, Perak planned to kill non-Muslims and attack non-Muslim places of worship (The Star, 19 Sept 2017)

b) Local IS fighter claims grenade attack on Movida pub which injured 8 is ‘first attack on Malaysian soil’ (The Star, 4 July 2016)

c) Detained suspected militants admitted to Bukit Aman that besides planning attacks on pubs and discotheques, they also targeted the Carlsberg brewery (Singapore’s Straits Times, 16 Aug 2014)

d) Carlsberg brewery confirmed that it has stepped up security to ensure the safety of its employees, following reports that the brewery was targeted (Malay Mail Online, 19 August 2014)

13.      The security threats against the lives and property of non-Muslims are real and imminent and should not be taken di granted. For DAP or Rocket, it is politics as usual. MCA will not take lightly public security or any infringement of non-Muslim rights or liberty.

Common sense dictates that most of the people converging at the “Better Beer Festival” would be non-Muslims and they would be sitting ducks for any security threats.

14.      DAP leaders must take a break from politicking. Be more responsible with their public statements. Stop politicking purely to score political brownie points but placing the community and public to risk of injuries or attacks. They should in all sincerity acknowledge that there is clear past and present danger of attacks by IS, Daesh etc particularly in the Klang Valley vicinity. We cannot and must not wantonly put the public at risk.

15.      MCA is relieved and assured that DBKL decision was based on reasons of security and NOT political pressure or PAS. There is no change on BN government moderate policies but public safety and national security is of paramount consideration and must not be compromised.


Dato’ Sri Ti Lian Ker
MCA Publicity Spokesman (English/Bahasa Malaysia)
MCA Religious Harmony Bureau Chairman


-MCA online-