Confusion over vague beer rules
State executive councillor in charge of local government Ronnie Liu took a non-committal stand saying the State did not have problems with the Selangor Religious Department’s (JAIS) action in hauling up Muslims who handled alcoholic beverages or were employed in places selling intoxicants as long as it was to “educate them”.
“However, I will be worried if they end up losing their jobs,” he said.
Liu, however, remained neutral when asked what the State government’s stand was in view of two convenience store workers being hauled up yesterday by JAIS.
They were questioned on why they had handled beer during a raid by JAIS recently. The 7-Eleven store manager, according to a report in an English daily, was also hauled up to explain why the two Muslim workers were required to handle alcoholic beverages.
The employees, a 22-year-old man and 31-year-old woman, have been served notices to appear at the JAIS headquarters for questioning.
According to Selangor executive councillor Datuk Dr Hassan Ali, the employees would only be called for education purposes although they could be fined under the law.
Under Section 19 (1) of the Syariah Criminal Offences (State of Selangor) Enactment 1995, it is an offence for anyone to consume alcohol and Section 19(2) states that it is an offence for anyone to make, sell, offer or exhibit for sale intoxicating drinks.
The hauling up of the two workers and the uncertainty over the fate of Muslims working in places selling alcoholic beverages has evoked concern among many quarters, especially Muslim readers, who called up the Malay Mail wanting to know the State government’s stand on the matter.
A reader, who only wanted to be identified as Ismail, said it seemed unfair that Muslim workers were being “harassed” just because they dealt with alcoholic beverages.
“These people are just earning a living, very much like those who work in hotels and airlines. In fact, there are a lot of Muslim workers in the two biggest beer breweries in Selangor,” he said.
“How can they continue working with peace of mind when they do not know when they can be hauled up by JAIS for merely handling alcoholic drinks?
Can the State government find them alternative employment? This is not about them drinking, but finding a livelihood in not a very good economic climate.”
Another reader, who wanted to be known as Rosli Ahmad, said he lived in Selangor and his two daughters worked in a brewery in Shah Alam.
“I don’t like to question Islamic laws, but would it be practical to prosecute Muslim workers who are employed in manufacturing, selling, offering and displaying alcohol?
What about hotels and airlines? A lot of Muslims might be out of jobs at a time when jobs are hard to come by.”
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