After 'storm in a wine glass', Hati calls for beef ban at official govt events
Published: Oct 8, 2025 1:31 PM
Updated: 5:39 PM
True to its name, the newly minted Parti Hati Rakyat Malaysia (Hati) is appealing to the government’s conscience.
Hati president Chan Tse Yuen has called on the cabinet to issue a directive barring beef from being served at all official banquets, citing respect for the religious sensitivities of Hindus and Buddhists.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the former MCA leader said that such a move would reflect a Malaysia that not only preaches tolerance but practises mutual understanding among all faiths.
He was responding to a recent furore concerning Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing after alcoholic beverages were served at the Global Travel Meet dinner, which Chan (above) described as a “storm in a wine glass”.
Chan noted that alcohol is a religious taboo for Muslims, and that non-Muslims in Malaysia have long shown full respect for this prohibition.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing (centre) with guests at the Global Travel Meet dinner
He added that since Islam is enshrined as the official religion in the Federal Constitution, all government events and official banquets already refrain from serving pork or any non-halal food.
Beef widely served at govt functions
In the same vein, Chan said Malaysia is a multiracial and multireligious country that also includes Hindus and Buddhists - particularly devotees of Guanyin - for whom consuming beef is prohibited by religious belief.
“Yet until today. The reality before us is that the government seems to have paid little attention to the taboos and sensitivities of Hindus and Buddhists, as beef continues to be widely served at official banquets,” he added.
Chan therefore urged the cabinet to make a collective decision to prohibit the serving of beef at all official government functions to respect the religious sensitivities of Hindus, Buddhists, and Guanyin devotees.
Such a move, he said, would demonstrate to the world that Malaysia, as a multireligious nation, genuinely upholds mutual respect among all faiths.
Hati was officially registered with the Registrar of Societies on June 18 and aims to give hope to Malaysians who feel the government has lost its direction.
He added that since Islam is enshrined as the official religion in the Federal Constitution, all government events and official banquets already refrain from serving pork or any non-halal food.
Beef widely served at govt functions
In the same vein, Chan said Malaysia is a multiracial and multireligious country that also includes Hindus and Buddhists - particularly devotees of Guanyin - for whom consuming beef is prohibited by religious belief.
“Yet until today. The reality before us is that the government seems to have paid little attention to the taboos and sensitivities of Hindus and Buddhists, as beef continues to be widely served at official banquets,” he added.
Chan therefore urged the cabinet to make a collective decision to prohibit the serving of beef at all official government functions to respect the religious sensitivities of Hindus, Buddhists, and Guanyin devotees.
Such a move, he said, would demonstrate to the world that Malaysia, as a multireligious nation, genuinely upholds mutual respect among all faiths.
Hati was officially registered with the Registrar of Societies on June 18 and aims to give hope to Malaysians who feel the government has lost its direction.
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