Friday, January 13, 2023

Just gimmicks: mall group pooh-poohs PAS lawmaker’s no-beer advice


theVibes.com:

Just gimmicks: mall group pooh-poohs PAS lawmaker’s no-beer advice

Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan has had his five minutes of fame, says association head



Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan, who is also Penang PAS Youth head, had earlier posted a video on his TikTok account recently of his visit to the mall in Seberang Jaya, where he told staff that the sale of liquor should not be promoted openly. – Screen grab pic, January 13, 2023


GEORGE TOWN – The Malaysia Shopping Malls Association sees the recent incident of a PAS politician advising a mall in Penang to refrain from openly selling beers as just a political gimmick.


“The politician concerned (Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan) has achieved his five minutes of fame and the malls should note his concerns,” said association chairman Richard Chan.

“There is nothing major. I think the exhibition is still continuing,” he told The Vibes, referring to a Lunar New Year promotion by a beer brand at the Sunway Carnival Mall management, which Fawwaz has posted about on TikTok.

Chan, the director of the consulting firm RCMC Sdn Bhd, said he viewed the incident as that of a politician seeking mileage for his cause.

“I think it is just a gimmick. I do not want to say much. We are inclined to think it is just politics. All malls respect the beliefs and feelings of all races.”

He said shopping malls in the country operate in accordance with Malaysia’s diverse and multi-ethnic composition, with mutual respect for all customers.

Even malls in neighbourhoods with a more than 80% Chinese population would take the trouble to put up Deepavali decorations during the season, as a way to mark the festival and join in the celebration, he said.


Even malls in neighbourhoods with a more than 80% Chinese population would take the trouble to put up Deepavali decorations during the season, as a way to mark the festival and join in the celebration, says Richard Chan. – RCMC pic, January 13, 2023


A spokesman from Sunway Carnival Mall, meanwhile, told The Vibes that some minor adjustments were made to the beer display in terms of decorations following the management’s discussion with Fawwaz, but other than that, the exhibition has continued as normal.

Fawwaz, who is also Penang PAS Youth head, posted a video on his TikTok account recently of his visit to the mall in Seberang Jaya, where he told staff that the sale of liquor should not be promoted openly.

The video showed him near a beer display set up in conjunction with Chinese New Year and also talking with mall staff.

The incident drew criticism from Penang Warisan chairman Jeff Ooi as well as DAP elected representatives Heng Lee Lee and Daniel Gooi, who lambasted Fawwaz for overstepping his authority as a lawmaker.

Social media users criticised Fawwaz, saying he should focus on economic growth instead of harping on morality issues.

Others said commercial premises are permitted to sell liquor if they follow the rules, and that the sale of alcohol is regulated by the customs department and local councils.

Fawwaz pulled off a major upset in the 15th general election last November when he defeated incumbent Nurul Izzah Anwar in Permatang Pauh, which was considered a PKR stronghold.

He could not be reached for comment over his TikTok clip. – The Vibes, January 13, 2023


1 comment:

  1. The Malaysia Shopping Mall Association should take seriously the first bomb lobbed by the ketuanan bigot.

    You can be sure this is just a foray. It cannot be discounted that this ketuanan bigot will get a bigger group to "advise" malls to tone down the selling of alcohol to "protect the sensitivities of muslims"

    An article 2 or 3 days ago had the Raja of Perlis quoted as follows "no party should 'add fuel to the fire' or make the situation worse, especially when a racial issue arises that can destroy the spirit of unity in this country.

    "All parties, regardless of background and status, should always strive to understand and respect each other to ensure a high spirit of unity and enhance the level of tolerance," said His Royal Highness in a statement issued by Istana Arau today"

    The question is, did the Raja refer specifically to this Fawwaz idiot or was he (Raja) speaking rhetorically?

    ReplyDelete