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.