Disgruntled club members ready to quit if liquor ban stays
A senior member says Shah Alam Club has always been multiracial, with members from all walks of life playing sports and socialising.
PETALING JAYA: Some of Shah Alam Club’s most senior members are willing to give up their membership should the club’s ban on alcohol remain.
Stressing that he was disappointed with the ban, one member noted that the club has always been multiracial, with members from all walks of life playing sports and socialising.
“I plan to give up my membership, partly because of this alcohol ban. I have another club in Bukit Kiara that I can go to,” said the member, who joined the club over 35 years ago.
“I believe the state government’s move to ban alcohol in the club is wrong as it deprives non-Muslim members of an amenity … an ice-cold beer after sports or having a round of drinks with friends and family.”
He said the ban also deprived the club of much needed revenue, especially after Covid-19 lockdowns severely affected the coffers.
Another senior member, who has been with the club for 26 years, told FMT he was also looking to relinquish his membership because of the club’s alcohol ban.
“I will only remain a member so long as there’s no restrictions on alcohol. The new rules are unfair and I do not support them,” he said.
“They should just follow the rules set earlier and not just change them as they wish.”
A new rule by the club’s general committee to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol at the premises came into force on Feb 12. Members and guests are also not allowed to bring alcohol into the premises.
A member of the club’s administration told FMT the alcohol ban was in line with instructions from Selangor state secretary Haris Kasim.
Former Shah Alam mayor Haris was previously the Selangor Islamic religious department (Jais) director.
The Melaka government announced a similar ban on alcohol consumption and sale at the Ayer Keroh Country Club in Melaka in December.
PETALING JAYA: Some of Shah Alam Club’s most senior members are willing to give up their membership should the club’s ban on alcohol remain.
Stressing that he was disappointed with the ban, one member noted that the club has always been multiracial, with members from all walks of life playing sports and socialising.
“I plan to give up my membership, partly because of this alcohol ban. I have another club in Bukit Kiara that I can go to,” said the member, who joined the club over 35 years ago.
“I believe the state government’s move to ban alcohol in the club is wrong as it deprives non-Muslim members of an amenity … an ice-cold beer after sports or having a round of drinks with friends and family.”
He said the ban also deprived the club of much needed revenue, especially after Covid-19 lockdowns severely affected the coffers.
Another senior member, who has been with the club for 26 years, told FMT he was also looking to relinquish his membership because of the club’s alcohol ban.
“I will only remain a member so long as there’s no restrictions on alcohol. The new rules are unfair and I do not support them,” he said.
“They should just follow the rules set earlier and not just change them as they wish.”
A new rule by the club’s general committee to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol at the premises came into force on Feb 12. Members and guests are also not allowed to bring alcohol into the premises.
A member of the club’s administration told FMT the alcohol ban was in line with instructions from Selangor state secretary Haris Kasim.
Former Shah Alam mayor Haris was previously the Selangor Islamic religious department (Jais) director.
The Melaka government announced a similar ban on alcohol consumption and sale at the Ayer Keroh Country Club in Melaka in December.
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