COMMENT | Except for a couple of years, it is the same mantra from the same people at this time of the year in Malaysia. As organisations and hotel managements make preparations for Oktoberfest, some righteous people make their ignorance public with daft statements.

So as to solicit support, religion is thrown in and all and sundry join the chorus – the blind leading the blind.

In 2014, PAS Dewan Ulama voiced its strong objection to the Oktoberfest “beer-drinking” festival and urged the local authorities in Selangor to take action against the organiser for openly promoting the event.

PAS central committee member Nasrudin Hassan said the organiser was openly “challenging” the sensitivities of Muslims who are observing Hari Raya Aidiladha.

According to Nasrudin, a cleric, Oktoberfest has...