Malaysia Islamists booze ban could fuel feud

Reuters - Wednesday, August 5

By Razak Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 - Malaysia's Islamist party on Tuesday demanded full implementation of a rarely enforced alcohol ban for Muslims in the country's most developed state, a move that could reignite a feud in the country's opposition.

The opposition Pan Malaysian Islamic Party , which rules the state of Selangor along with two other parties, also called for the removal of an ethnic Chinese state leader who protested the recent seizures of beer from convenience stores in the state.

Selangor, home to Malaysia's only two breweries, Guinness Anchor Bhd [GUMS.KL] and Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd [CBMS.KL], was one of five states won by the Anwar Ibrahim-led Peoples Alliance in general elections last year.

The move again highlights weaknesses within the rainbow opposition grouping made up of PAS, the stridently secular and mainly ethnic Chinese Democratic Action Party , and Anwar's own People's Justice Party .

"The initiatives are to free the Muslims of Selangor from the influence and culture of alcohol which is forbidden in Islam, and not to interfere in the rights of non-Muslims," said Hasan Ali, Selangor PAS chief.

Selangor is one of five states the opposition won in the 2008 general elections, the best performance for the Anwar-led alliance which remains on track as a contender to wrest power in the next polls that must be held by 2013.

PAS and DAP have occasionally traded barbs in public, among others over PAS' aims of imposing the alcohol ban in Selangor, which at one point would have banned the sale of alcohol in convenience stores in the state.

A vague and rarely enforced ban against alcohol for Muslims was enacted under State Islamic laws in 1995.

While PAS is the smallest party in the state government holding only eight out of 56 seats, a pullout from the alliance could lead to a collapse of the state government.

PAS imposes a ban on alcohol for Muslims in the state of Kelantan where it rules, limiting sales only to non-Muslims.

Recently a Muslim woman was sentenced to whipping after she was caught drinking beer.

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Leaders speak up against beer ban

KLANG: Community leaders in Selangor have spoken up strongly against PAS’ proposal to ban the sale of alcohol, including beer, in Muslim-majority areas in the state.

Selangor MCA deputy chairman Datuk Liew Yuen Keong said PAS state executive council member Datuk Dr Hassan Ali had no right to propose for such a blanket ban.

“He is not giving the due consideration to the rights of other communities besides his own,” he said.

He was commenting on Dr Hassan’s statement that Selangor PAS wanted a blanket ban on the sale of beer at 24-hour convenience stores in Muslim-majority areas.

Selangor PAS also urged Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim to ensure that the task force engaged in putting together the guidelines to regulate the sale of beer by the end of this month and to implement it throughout Selangor.

Liew said he was sure that non-Muslims in Selangor would strongly oppose the move.

“I myself will lead Selangor MCA in demanding that the state withdraws the uncalled-for ban,” said Liew.

He said all eyes would now be on Khalid to see how he would solve the matter.

MIC national Youth deputy coordinator S. Murugesan said Dr Hassan had shown that PAS practised extremism.

Murugesan said Dr Hassan, who is also Selangor PAS commissioner, had under-estimated the faith of his fellow Muslims by calling for the blanket ban.

“How could he think the blanket ban was needed because Muslims might go and purchase liquor and beer for consumption?” he said.

Former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said Dr Hassan’s request was reasonable.

“The non-Muslims can get their beer and liquor in other areas. This is a compromise everyone should look into,” he said.

He said it was not suitable for beer to be sold in 24-hour outlets in Shah Alam as there were many Muslim students from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in the neighbourhood.

“It’s best not to sell these drinks in Muslim-majority areas as a show of respect for the community’s feelings,” he said.

On Dr Hassan’s call for Ronnie Liu’s removal as state Local Commit-tee chairman, Dr Mohd Khir said he believed that he was not suited for the portfolio.

“He has a court case involving a local council pending before he took office and by virtue of this he is not a suitable candidate,” said Dr Mohd Khir.

source : thestar.com.my