Sorry no cure for Petronas CEO's champagne shower, says Amanah
Published: Oct 8, 2025 3:48 PM
Updated: 7:53 PM
Amanah’s arts, culture, and sports bureau chairperson Wan Anwar Wan Ibrahim has urged the government, as the owner of Petronas, to take internal action against the company’s president and group chief executive, Tengku Taufik Tengku Aziz.
Referring to the “champagne shower” incident during the recent Singapore Grand Prix, Wan Anwar said such action would ensure that similar behaviour does not recur in the future.
Dismissing Taufik’s apology, he said the excuse of being “overwhelmed by the excitement of victory” was insufficient, especially when photos clearly showed him spraying and being drenched in alcohol himself.
Wan Anwar also drew comparisons to the controversy surrounding Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing over the serving of alcoholic beverages at an event.
“I simply cannot understand how, while we are condemning and criticising a non-Muslim for being insensitive about the alcohol issue publicly, there is a Muslim who goes on to repeat the very same act.
“It is even more disappointing that this Muslim happens to be a Malay who leads a respected national organisation - Petronas.
Amanah’s arts, culture, and sports bureau chairperson Wan Anwar Wan Ibrahim
“Why is there absolutely no sensitivity on such an issue, especially when he is fully aware that he represents the image of a respected Islamic nation in the eyes of the world?” Wan Anwar added in a statement.
According to the Amanah leader, Petronas’ leadership before Taufik had always been mindful of such sensitivities, both domestically and internationally.
In a statement yesterday, the Petronas CEO said he was honoured to receive the Winning Constructor’s Trophy on behalf of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team, but admitted that his actions during the post-race celebrations might have been “misplaced”.
“While I can categorically state I did not consume any alcohol, as a Muslim, I should have been more aware of the sensitivities associated with taking part in such celebrations,” he said.
“Why is there absolutely no sensitivity on such an issue, especially when he is fully aware that he represents the image of a respected Islamic nation in the eyes of the world?” Wan Anwar added in a statement.
According to the Amanah leader, Petronas’ leadership before Taufik had always been mindful of such sensitivities, both domestically and internationally.
In a statement yesterday, the Petronas CEO said he was honoured to receive the Winning Constructor’s Trophy on behalf of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team, but admitted that his actions during the post-race celebrations might have been “misplaced”.
“While I can categorically state I did not consume any alcohol, as a Muslim, I should have been more aware of the sensitivities associated with taking part in such celebrations,” he said.
Petronas president and group chief executive, Tengku Taufik Tengku Aziz
“Accordingly, I want to apologise for any unintended offence caused and take full responsibility for my actions,” he added.
“Accordingly, I want to apologise for any unintended offence caused and take full responsibility for my actions,” he added.
Don't try to be more PAS than PAS.
ReplyDeleteYou won't win any points.
Let’s Boykott Petronas.
ReplyDelete