Why did MCA leaders give conflicting views on the beer festival ban?

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MCA Leaders' Differing Stances on Beer Festival Ban Reflect Party's Democratic Nature, Says Official

MCA leaders expressed a range of opinions regarding the cancellation of the Best Beer Festival, a situation that party official Datuk Jason Teoh Sew Hock characterised as a testament to the MCA's internal democratic processes. Teoh asserted that this freedom for leaders to voice their individual thoughts, even if they diverge from official party lines or other leaders' statements, highlights a democratic characteristic absent in parties like DAP, where he suggested adherence to the views of Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng is paramount. The controversy arose after Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) revoked the festival's permit, citing "political sensitivity" and protests from PAS, which also drew objections from conservative Muslim groups.
Party's Initial Opposition and Subsequent Support

The MCA's initial reaction to the ban was one of opposition, with some leaders arguing that the decision infringed upon the rights of minorities and could potentially embolden extremist elements. However, this stance evolved when MCA President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai later indicated that security concerns, discussed at a Cabinet meeting, had led the party to support DBKL's decision. This shift in position drew criticism, notably from DAP's Lim Kit Siang, who labelled the MCA as a party "without political principles" for its apparent change of heart.
Safety as a Prioritised Concern

Datuk Jason Teoh Sew Hock defended the MCA's eventual support for the ban by stating that the party had prioritised safety above political considerations, race, or religion. He suggested that the police had cited the event as a potential target for militant attacks or attempts to disrupt public order, thus necessitating the cancellation. Teoh contrasted this pragmatic approach with what he perceived as the DAP's tendency to politicise the issue.
Allegations of DAP Politicisation and Past Alliances

Teoh further suggested that the DAP's past political collaborations with PAS had, in his view, legitimised and strengthened the conservative agenda of the Islamist party. This point was echoed by MCA publicity spokesman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker, who questioned DAP's parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang's silence when the Selangor state government opposed the Oktoberfest beer festival in 2014. Ti Lian Ker implied that the DAP's current stance on the Best Beer Festival was selective and potentially influenced by their past dealings with PAS.

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Why did MCA leaders give conflicting views on the beer festival ban?

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