Now a rift in Selangor Pakatan?
S PathmawathyPublished: Aug 5, 2009 6:36 PM | Updated: Aug 5, 2009 6:45 PM
Will the proposed ban on alcohol sales in Muslim-majority areas of Selangor cause a rift among parties in the Pakatan Rakyat state government?
It all comes down to how the Pakatan Rakyat parties handle the PAS call for a ban on alcohol sales in Muslim-majority areas, say observers.
Will the proposed ban on alcohol sales in Muslim-majority areas of Selangor cause a rift among parties in the Pakatan Rakyat state government?
Selangor PAS commissioner Hasan Ali appears to have sparked discontentment not just with the proposal but also by asking for DAP exco member Ronnie Liu to be removed from the local government portfolio as he has “overstepped his jurisdiction”.
Liu, on July 30, was criticised for questioning the Shah Alam Municipal Council’s actions in seizing alcohol from outlets in Muslim-majority areas in the state capital.
These are some reactions on the issue and the potential outcome for the Pakatan government.
Khoo Kay Peng, independent political analyst
Both parties have to look at this logically. The fundamental issue is that the ban is only effective for Muslims. Such laws are already in place, so all that we really need now is enforcement.
This matter is just overlapping the existing laws as there are regulations prohibiting alcohol consumption by the Muslims.
But how sure are they that those who want to get beer can't go to a ‘non-Muslim’ area to purchase it? Also, there is no one area that has only Muslim population. If you really want something you will go all out to get it.
I agree that from a moral point of view that alcohol is no good but we have to look at the legal side of it. If you want to do moral policing, it must be balanced with individual rights and freedom. We are after all a democratic country with a multicultural community.
But this is a very minor issue. To say that it will bring about a rift in Pakatan Rakyat (is not accurate) when there are other serious ideological issues on racism and religious extremism to addressed.
Ibrahim Suffian, Director of Programmes at the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research
Pakatan needs to keep itself in order. Its lawmakers have to resolve issues among themselves and not resort to megaphone politics.
Laws should reflect the wishes of the public and must be to their benefit. These issues should be resolved internally and through the media.
Ti Lian Ker, MCA NGO liaison committee chairperson
The act of confiscation of beers in cans and bottles by the Shah Alam City Council is an ultra vires act and ought not to be condoned by the local government chairperson Ronnie Liu or DAP.
There must be consistency in the implementation of laws and the local authority cannot overrule an express provision of the law (based on) their personal whims and fancies.
The Excise Act, a federal law, allows beer in bottles and cans to be sold freely. Only beer that is sold in barrels or served is regulated by the local authorities.
The local authorities cannot override federal law by confiscating beers sold in bottles or cans from any retail outlet on flimsy (religious) grounds.
We cannot allow our laws to be coloured by race,(with) different set of laws based on the geography or demography of the residents.
Malaysia is a plural country and the legislation must be uniform. The federal laws have taken into consideration the diverse cultures and plurality of the nation.
It is an irony that the Pakatan Rakyat government is advocating the removal of race-based political parties but implementing and colouring federal laws with race and religion. This is an unhealthy trend, and must be stopped.
The sundry and retail shops in Malay kampongs have been selling bottles and cans of beer for ages as a matter of right... there should be no discrimination against 7-11 (convenience stores) or any other shop selling beer legally (as) there is no provision that says 24-hour outlets cannot sell canned or bottled beer.
There are personal laws that forbid Muslims from purchasing alcohol. Thus enforcement should be against Muslim wrongdoers and not against retailers.
Is DAP going to compromise the legal right and liberties of retail outlets to sell beer? If PAS and PKR can just disregard the written provisions of federal law, it means that DAP lawmakers have sold our legal rights and liberties once again.
Selangor PAS commissioner Hasan Ali appears to have sparked discontentment not just with the proposal but also by asking for DAP exco member Ronnie Liu to be removed from the local government portfolio as he has “overstepped his jurisdiction”.Liu, on July 30, was criticised for questioning the Shah Alam Municipal Council’s actions in seizing alcohol from outlets in Muslim-majority areas in the state capital.
These are some reactions on the issue and the potential outcome for the Pakatan government.
Khoo Kay Peng, independent political analyst
Both parties have to look at this logically. The fundamental issue is that the ban is only effective for Muslims. Such laws are already in place, so all that we really need now is enforcement.
This matter is just overlapping the existing laws as there are regulations prohibiting alcohol consumption by the Muslims.
But how sure are they that those who want to get beer can't go to a ‘non-Muslim’ area to purchase it? Also, there is no one area that has only Muslim population. If you really want something you will go all out to get it.I agree that from a moral point of view that alcohol is no good but we have to look at the legal side of it. If you want to do moral policing, it must be balanced with individual rights and freedom. We are after all a democratic country with a multicultural community.
But this is a very minor issue. To say that it will bring about a rift in Pakatan Rakyat (is not accurate) when there are other serious ideological issues on racism and religious extremism to addressed.
Ibrahim Suffian, Director of Programmes at the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research
Pakatan needs to keep itself in order. Its lawmakers have to resolve issues among themselves and not resort to megaphone politics.Laws should reflect the wishes of the public and must be to their benefit. These issues should be resolved internally and through the media.
Ti Lian Ker, MCA NGO liaison committee chairperson
The act of confiscation of beers in cans and bottles by the Shah Alam City Council is an ultra vires act and ought not to be condoned by the local government chairperson Ronnie Liu or DAP.
There must be consistency in the implementation of laws and the local authority cannot overrule an express provision of the law (based on) their personal whims and fancies. The Excise Act, a federal law, allows beer in bottles and cans to be sold freely. Only beer that is sold in barrels or served is regulated by the local authorities.
The local authorities cannot override federal law by confiscating beers sold in bottles or cans from any retail outlet on flimsy (religious) grounds.
We cannot allow our laws to be coloured by race,(with) different set of laws based on the geography or demography of the residents.
Malaysia is a plural country and the legislation must be uniform. The federal laws have taken into consideration the diverse cultures and plurality of the nation.
It is an irony that the Pakatan Rakyat government is advocating the removal of race-based political parties but implementing and colouring federal laws with race and religion. This is an unhealthy trend, and must be stopped.
The sundry and retail shops in Malay kampongs have been selling bottles and cans of beer for ages as a matter of right... there should be no discrimination against 7-11 (convenience stores) or any other shop selling beer legally (as) there is no provision that says 24-hour outlets cannot sell canned or bottled beer.There are personal laws that forbid Muslims from purchasing alcohol. Thus enforcement should be against Muslim wrongdoers and not against retailers.
Is DAP going to compromise the legal right and liberties of retail outlets to sell beer? If PAS and PKR can just disregard the written provisions of federal law, it means that DAP lawmakers have sold our legal rights and liberties once again.
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