Pulau Perhentian 'full moon party' fizzles out after intervention by authorities
Yahoo News
PULAU PERHENTIAN KECIL (TERENGGANU): The ‘Full Moon Beach Party in Malaysia Tour 2016’ which gained notoriety in the conservative east coast state, died off following intervention by the authorities last night.
This followed intervention by the Terengganu Religious Affairs Department, Besut municipal council and police who visited the island’s Long Beach.
Besut police chief Superintendent Khalid Che Lah said a team of 25 enforcement officers from the three agencies had met with the outlet operator and the organiser of the event at the island's Long Beach.
The event was called off in the name of public interest.
“We are however keeping watch to ensure the event does not take off for the three days and two nights as planned, and to ensure public order,” he said.
The Singapore-based event organiser , Erasign LLP, had advertised the party through the Internet, social media and WhatsApp, offering a US$160 full package for two nights/three days at Pulau Perhentian Kecil’s Long Beach from 11pm on Tuesday till Thursday.
The advertisement said that the largest full moon party in Malaysia was to celebrate a day of peace, love and harmony.
The party also offered additional activities like island hopping, jungle trekking, kayaking, snorkling, banana boat and the like.
Kuala Besut assemblyman Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Abd Rahman said so far no application had been received to organise the party.
"The state government will take stern action (and) will not allow the party to be held even if the organisers make a request to the Besut District Council (BDC)", he said.
Zaihan, who is also state tourism and culture committee deputy chairman, added that he did not want the party to tarnish the good image of the island and Terengganu as a whole.
Two days ago, Umno Youth and Puteri Umno lodged police reports over the planned party.
Umno had requested the party to be cancelled as it feared it could invite all sorts of negative effects that could affect the islands' residents, especially youths.
Pulau Perhentian village security and welfare committee head Zainuddin Mohamad said the local folk objected to the party as it had negative elements that could influence the local youth.
“The local chalet owners denied any knowledge of the party or their involvement in it. They also said the party organisers did not approach them for any chalet bookings,” said Zainuddin.
Besut district council secretary Fakrulrazi Ibrahim said no formal application for a permit had been received from the party organisers.
He said it was an offence if the organisers went ahead with the party.
“Even if they had applied, we will reject it as it is against our principles,” he said.
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