Malaysiakini:
Ex-sec-gen did not go behind our backs on booze saga – deputy minister
CORONAVIRUS | Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister Rosol Wahid has defended his former secretary-general Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad's over a letter granted to alcohol beverage producer Heineken Malaysia Bhd which went viral on social media.
"There are reports stating that the minister (Alexander Nanta Linggi) and I were not informed about the matter by Hasnol. That is untrue. We knew about it," the PAS lawmaker told Harian Metro.
The government announced Hasnol's transfer to the Companies Commission of Malaysia yesterday, (CCM) a day after the letter was made public.
It was unclear if the transfer, effective April 1, was related to the letter.
Rosol said there might have been a misunderstanding that the approval letter to Heineken was to allow it to continue production during the movement control order (MCO).
Instead, he said the approval was for Heineken to distribute its existing stock.
"What happened may have been a misunderstanding about the letter that was made viral.
"The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has no power to grant permission to operate. That is under the International Trade and Industry Ministry," he added.
Yesterday, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also the senior minister overseeing the MCO, said the International Trade and Industry Ministry would issue a letter to Heineken to revoke its approval.
This came after Bersatu, Umno and PAS, all component parties in the Perikatan Nasional government, protested the approval.
Under the MCO, which was implemented on March 18 to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus, only essential services are allowed to operate.
The MCO is scheduled to end on April 14 but could be extended.
This came after Bersatu, Umno and PAS, all component parties in the Perikatan Nasional government, protested the approval.
Under the MCO, which was implemented on March 18 to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus, only essential services are allowed to operate.
The MCO is scheduled to end on April 14 but could be extended.
Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad, the poor sec-gen of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs has copped it sweet. Whether he had been personally responsible for been the trigger bringing about the Heineken backflip, and definitely an embarrassing backflap (for PN) it has been, or he was just carrying out his minister's directive, he still has to play the scapegoat narrative, and pay for the PN govt's mistake vis-a-vis the conservative ultra's outrage.
Aiyah, he just an eff-ing pelt for the ultra's to proudly hang on its public religious fence.
But if it had been a 'mistake' or 'mistaken interpretation by the media' (favourite kerbau of governments whether PN, PH or BN), then why should (Senior/Defence) Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob issue a letter to Heineken to revoke its approval?
If there was 'no approval' in the first place, then there needn't be any revocation of the non-existent approval. Wakakaka, what a whole herd of kerbau's.
And why does the Defence-Senior Minister (Sabri a.k.a Menteri LowYat2, wakakaka) have to be the one to issue the revocation letter on MITI's approval for Heineken to operate under MCO?
Why wasn't the Senior Minister of MITI been the one to do so? Hiding in Sandakan? Sembu ... nyi? Wakakaka.
But I am glad it has been Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister Rosol Wahid who emerged to defend the poor former sec-gen of that min-ministry, considering he's a PAS man. To remind us of what Rosol Wahid has just said:
"There are reports stating that the minister (Alexander Nanta Linggi) and I were not informed about the matter by Hasnol. That is untrue. We knew about it."
"The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has no power to grant permission to operate. That is under the International Trade and Industry Ministry,"
and who BTW has gone into 'Sembu ... nyi'-ing. Wakakaka and Podah to such a "sembu ...nyi-ing' Senior Minister.
Well done, Datuk Haji.
The bottom line with the disapproval of Heiniken is that this is based on Race/Religion supremacist considerations, not on objective health and economic criteria.
ReplyDeleteIn the matter of health, the Heiniken factory is highly mechanised and does not require any crowded production workforce to operate. On economic issues, Heiniken is a major contributor to the Malaysia economy, in jobs , yes, Malay jobs, Corporate Incone Tax and alcohol excise duties.
I'm still waiting for MCA to break its Silence of the Lampar-less. MCA is part of the Ruling Party, and in the Cabinet.
MCA cannot pretend dunno, else it is proven to be Lampar-less.
Already 48 hours have passed, enough time for Wee KHAT Siong to pang sai and dream up a silly spin.
ReplyDeleteKT must call out the Boh Lam Phar, play Sudoku, Buat Tak Tahu Gang.
Ministers:
Wee KHAT Siong MCA
Saravanan Murugan MIC
Maximus Ongkili PBS
Ronald Kiandee Bersatu
Alexander Nanta Linggi PBB/GPS
Deputy Ministers:
Lim Ban Hong MCA
Arthur Joseph Kurup PBRS
Wee Jerk Seng MCA
Beer considered non-essential food?
ReplyDeleteIs ayam percik, nasi Arab and lemang essential food?
Menteri Bizzare initially defended Ramadan Bazaar, then he had to backtrack when the Saintology people at the MOH said it wasn't a good idea.
If these Ramadan delicacies are so essential why not cook at home? Why need crowded bazaars? After all everyone have to Duduk Rumah, plenty of time to masak-masak with your Doraemons.
Who has the sole lesen for those tax stickers for imported beer? They will make ton of money now.
ReplyDeletei think azmin make the right decision, he take care of us that like beer. i love azmin, but of course hv to make sure my base is cover first.
ReplyDeleteThe "transfer" of the Sec Gen is not a transfer at all..The Sec Gen of Domestic Trade n Consumer Affairs Ministry has always been appointed Chairman of CCM (SSM).
ReplyDeleteThe post was vacated in January 2020 upon the transfer of the previous Sec Gen to assume the post of Sec Gen of the Defence Ministry