KL drops beer cash after protest

KL drops beer cash after protest

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Predominantly Moslem Malaysia, bowing
to pressures from Moslem-led groups, has dropped Danish brewery
Carlsberg as a major sponsor of the Commonwealth Games starting
in Kuala Lumpur in September.

Government officials and sources at Carlsberg's Malaysian unit
said yesterday the sponsorship has been terminated following a
Malaysian cabinet decision.

The five million ringgit (US$1.2 million) Carlsberg Brewery
Malaysia Bhd originally paid to the organizers, Sukom Ninety
Eight Bhd, would be repaid but sport officials said the move
would not affect the games to be held from Sept. 11 to Sept. 21.

The Cabinet cited "public sensitivity" as the reason for the
decision. But sources at Carlsberg said the move followed
protests and boycott threats by Moslem fundamentalists and
consumer groups. Islam strictly prohibits alcohol and gaming.