Perak PAS urges MCA not to wield alcohol issue as political tool

Perak PAS urges MCA not to wield alcohol issue as political tool

N Faizal Ghazali
Published: Jan 21, 2025 11:05 PM
Updated: 2:05 AM


Summary

• Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria expresses support for the ban on alcohol sales in Muslim-majority areas.

• He urges non-Muslim parties not to wield the issue as a political tool following MCA’s remarks on the matter.

Perak PAS today expressed its support for measures to control the sale of alcohol in premises such as grocery stores and convenience stores in Muslim-majority areas in the state.

In a statement to Malaysiakini, Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria stressed that the matter should not become a polemic, especially among non-Muslim political parties.

"Perak PAS advises non-Muslim political parties to not use this issue as a political tool that can spark tensions between Muslims and non-Muslims in the state.

"Perak PAS is confident that most non-Muslims are aware of the dangers of alcohol and they also respect the rights of Muslims, especially in Muslim-majority areas,” he said.

Razman (above), who is also the opposition leader in the Perak state assembly, said the issue of banning alcohol sales in such locations should not be raised at all.

The ban could be achieved if all political parties in Malaysia understand the rules and comply with them, he added, saying that this form of tolerance must be maintained to ensure the state's stability and peace.

He was commenting on the controversy caused by Perak MCA following the extension of restrictions on the sale of alcohol in certain areas in Ipoh.

Perak MCA information chief Chung Kok Heung had criticised state government leaders for keeping mum over the local government’s plans to expand restrictions on alcohol sales in Ipoh.

Chung Kok Heung


He questioned why DAP and PKR leaders denied the restrictions despite confirmation from Ipoh mayor Rumaizi Baharin.

This came after Ipoh city councillor Wong Kar Keat from DAP and state exco Sandrea Ng of PKR recently sought to assure the people that no decision had been made over the matter.

On Sunday (Jan 19), Wong explained that the proposal to ban alcohol sales in Muslim-majority residential areas was merely a suggestion from some Muslim councillors.

But Rumaizi had said that the Ipoh City Council approved a policy to conduct a study on the demands of residents from Muslim-majority areas before the liquor ban was enforced.

Around 2020 and 2021, the ban was implemented in the Manjoi area following massive protests by residents, he said.

Additionally, Umno Youth stepped into the fray earlier today, telling MCA to "not be stupid".

‘Respect rights of Muslims’

Razman further said that it is a criminal offence for a Muslim to drink intoxicating beverages under Section 59 of the Crimes (Syariah) Enactment 1992 of Perak.

He said Perak PAS fully supports the Ipoh City Council's decision as well as any local authority which wishes to ban alcohol sales at public premises in Muslim-majority areas.

“Perak PAS acknowledges that alcohol is not prohibited for non-Muslims and their rights are guaranteed by the constitution and religion Islam.

"The issue arose following protests from Muslim-majority areas in the state of Perak, especially in the Ipoh city area.

"The rights of Muslims should be respected by non-Muslims in this state.

"They are only demanding a ban in Muslim-majority areas without touching non-Muslim-majority areas.

"It has become a rule that the sale of alcohol is a controlled item and cannot be sold freely," he said.

Citing the rules, he added that stores which wish to sell alcohol must first publish an announcement in several newspapers in various languages for several days.

They must also meet several conditions in obtaining feedback from residents, Razman said.