“Graft, infidelity, power abuse are greater sins than free flow wine at Tourism Malaysia’s gala dinner”
By Datuk Zaid Ibrahim
WHY is Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing under fire for serving alcohol at a government function? Because it triggers one of Malaysia’s deepest cultural contradictions: a divide between symbolic morality and substantive morality.
Alcohol is a symbol of identity, not sin.
Yet for many Malays, alcohol has come to represent something far beyond intoxication; it symbolises westernisation, moral decay and loss of Malay-Muslim identity.
Even though the Quran prohibit intoxicants, the issue is rarely about the sin itself. It’s about visibility and symbolism.
Drinking in private is quietly tolerated while drinking in public – especially at official functions – is treated as an affront to “Malay dignity”.
It becomes a boundary marker: “We may be corrupt, but we are still Muslim.” That’s why UMNO is furious about drinking at government functions.
This hypocrisy is a kind of moral signalling; a way for politicians to perform religiosity without living ethically.
Alcohol an easy target
Selective moral outrage is rampant. Corruption, infidelity or abuse of power are greater wrongs in both moral and social terms, yet they trigger little outrage because they’re systemic and self-benefiting.
Alcohol, on the other hand, costs nothing politically to condemn – it’s a safe target. Condemning corruption means implicating oneself and allies.
In fact, condemning alcohol or a woman not wearing a tudung earns moral credit at zero cost.
Thus, moral priorities are inverted: trivial symbols become the test of faith while grave injustice is normalised. Much of this stems from a crisis of cultural confidence.
WHY is Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing under fire for serving alcohol at a government function? Because it triggers one of Malaysia’s deepest cultural contradictions: a divide between symbolic morality and substantive morality.
Alcohol is a symbol of identity, not sin.
Yet for many Malays, alcohol has come to represent something far beyond intoxication; it symbolises westernisation, moral decay and loss of Malay-Muslim identity.
Even though the Quran prohibit intoxicants, the issue is rarely about the sin itself. It’s about visibility and symbolism.
Drinking in private is quietly tolerated while drinking in public – especially at official functions – is treated as an affront to “Malay dignity”.
It becomes a boundary marker: “We may be corrupt, but we are still Muslim.” That’s why UMNO is furious about drinking at government functions.
This hypocrisy is a kind of moral signalling; a way for politicians to perform religiosity without living ethically.
Antara spesis bebal yang masih lagi tidak tahu atau buat-buat tidak faham undang-undang dan sensitiviti rakyat Malaysia
Kamu nak buat parti mabuk sampai berbuih mulut ke itu kamu punya pasal,kami langsung tidak halang,tapi jangan guna agensi kerajaan!
Bila orang tegur,marah
...See moreAlcohol an easy target
Selective moral outrage is rampant. Corruption, infidelity or abuse of power are greater wrongs in both moral and social terms, yet they trigger little outrage because they’re systemic and self-benefiting.
Alcohol, on the other hand, costs nothing politically to condemn – it’s a safe target. Condemning corruption means implicating oneself and allies.
In fact, condemning alcohol or a woman not wearing a tudung earns moral credit at zero cost.
Thus, moral priorities are inverted: trivial symbols become the test of faith while grave injustice is normalised. Much of this stems from a crisis of cultural confidence.
Since the 1980s, Malay politics has relied on religious posturing to consolidate support. Islamisation was used to prove Malay authenticity.
So when a government function serves wine, UMNO or PAS leaders seize on it to reassert moral authority and accuse others of “weak faith”.
It’s not about religion but about political ownership of Islam.
Hypocrisy par excellence
This is why issues like concerts, beer festivals or tudung policies always re-surface before elections; they are identity tests disguised as moral issues.
The issue is also a sign of economic hypocrisy; the Malaysian government depends on “sin taxes” from tobacco sale, alcohol consumption and gambling activities to fund budgets.
These duties bring in roughly RM6 bil-RM8 bil a year combined with alcohol alone contributing around RM2 bil.
In other words, the state profits from what it condemns. It’s a convenient duality – collect the revenue quietly but condemn the consumption loudly.
Three core components of Malaysia’s sin tax: (from left) alcohol consumption, gambling activities and tobacco sale
Until the Malay society evolves from symbolic piety to ethical integrity, such contradictions will persist.
The Prophet’s message was about justice, honesty and compassion; not about public shaming or performative purity.
If Malays were as intolerant of corruption as they are of a glass of wine, Malaysia would be a far more moral nation with less need for an active and all-powerful MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission). – Oct 7, 2025
Former de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim is presently an UMNO member. This view first appeared on his Facebook and X pages.
Until the Malay society evolves from symbolic piety to ethical integrity, such contradictions will persist.
The Prophet’s message was about justice, honesty and compassion; not about public shaming or performative purity.
If Malays were as intolerant of corruption as they are of a glass of wine, Malaysia would be a far more moral nation with less need for an active and all-powerful MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission). – Oct 7, 2025
Former de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim is presently an UMNO member. This view first appeared on his Facebook and X pages.
MAS still serve alcohol or not? Next Year is VMY2026.
ReplyDeleteGraft, infidelity, power abuse, Rape are greater sins than free flow wine-
ReplyDeleteMany Muslims agree with that.
That religion, can really mess with your mind.