Yoursay: Liquor vigilantes should not be exempted from rule of law

YOURSAY | It is sad to see some people taking the law into their own hands.

Don't act on your own, Perak MB tells NGO that forced mart to get rid of booze

Ketil Sd: If Kampung Manjoi folks in Perak seriously abhor alcohol, they should simply just stop patronising that convenience store. And if the store is losing significant enough business, the owner will by economic sense stop selling alcohol.

The fact that the owner sells alcohol implies that there is demand for it. And the fact that the store is still in business despite selling alcohol implies that there is sufficient business to keep it going.

To be sensitive does not mean we have to deprive others of their right to consume legitimate products that they enjoy.

Must Muslims stop eating beef in order to be sensitive to the Hindus in our midst, or should Chinese stop consuming pork because there are Muslims everywhere? Or must all Muslims stop visiting hotels in Malaysia and around the world because they serve alcohol?

Malaysia is not a Muslim theocracy. The government must stop such bullying. In fact, the government must bring those gangsters (disguised as NGO) to justice. They have obviously taken the law into their own hands.

There mustn't be religious bigotry in our midst. Malays are a tolerant lot. What gives them a bad name in instances like this is a tiny, extreme group which claims to represent them. This must stop.

Anonymous 1802761448130592: It is sad to see some people taking the law into their own hands. The rule of law must prevail and be respected.

Imagine what would happen to our beloved country if everyone starts to force their views on others. We have proper channels to resolve matters, and these channels must be exhausted first before anyone decides to take matters into their own hands.

Things can always be work out amicably with reasoning and goodwill.

Ravinder: A good Muslim who practices his religion will not drink even if he is given free crates of beer or other alcoholic beverages.

Cigarettes were declared ‘haram’ many years ago but look at the number of Muslims who continue to smoke. This and other similar-minded NGOs would do better to get Muslims to abide by the fatwa on cigarettes.

ConstitutionIsSupreme: "Meanwhile, he (Perak menteri besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu) also advised other shop operators operating in other Malay villages to be more sensitive to the feeling of locals."

I hope Faisal will also say the same where non-Muslims make up the majority of the residents in other places in Perak. Shows to Perakians that you walk the talk and not selectively.

Quigonbond: I find it absurd for the MB to tell the NGO that if they act on their own, it will cause other issues. He should have been utterly firm with them and told them off that they are not vigilantes and it is none of their business to enforce the law.

And that they should expect the police to investigate them for criminal intimidation, trespassing, assault and possible battery.

Not Convinced: PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad should tell his Bersatu MB in Perak (Faizal) to enforce rule of law in the state.

If Malaysians are concerned that alcohol is easily accessible, especially to minors, then there should a debate on the matter and restrictions imposed on all convenience stores, much like that in certain Western countries.

Victor Johan: This is just another political stunt by PAS leaders. This is a similar modus operandi that happened about 10 years ago.

The then Pakatan Rakyat had beaten the Selangor BN government in 2008. New state exco member Hasan Ali from PAS sheepishly directed several Shah Alam municipal council enforcement officers to raid two of the many 7-11 shops in Shah Alam.

There are no lawful restrictions imposed on 7-11 outlets selling alcoholic beer in the state. It was obvious that the purpose of this directive was to instil some confusion and uncertainties in our multiracial and multireligious society, and to show that this specific group can interfere in the livelihoods of the populace, especially the large segments of non-Muslims who can legally consume alcoholic beverages.

Jefferson76: It’s shameful to see a member/s of a political party involved in lawlessness. Is this going to be how the new opposition works - mob rule and activities that destabilise the country?

Truth1: By the way, I don't remember this mob rising up and speaking out against the corruption and abuse of power by former PM Najib Razak and his regime.

Madam X: Such disgraceful behaviour should be nipped in bud. Malaysia is a democratic nation. Are these people so weak that they will succumb to consuming beer and other alcoholic drinks?

If so, their religious leaders should preach about resisting temptation. Removing the source of temptation does not make you more spiritual or religious.

This dangerous trend of religious zeal must not be allowed to continue in this beautiful multiracial and multireligious nation of ours.

Speechless: What right does the NGO have to demand that the convenience store's alcoholic beverages be removed if the store has a proper licence to operate?

People who don't or can't drink alcohol should refrain from buying it: they don't need an NGO to do the policing.

This form of intimidation has gone on for far too long and I hope the Pakatan Harapan government will seriously look into ensuring that Malaysians of all races and religions enjoy the same level of freedom and protection.

Asitis: The Perak sultan, as the head of Islam in the state should issue a statement condemning this mob harassment so that Islam will not be seen as an intolerant religion whose followers are incapable of co-existing with other people of this multiracial, multireligious society. Take a lesson from the Johor sultan.

The prime minister, too, should issue a statement concerning this. Don't repeat Najib's mistake of ignoring such extremist religious element in our society, allowing it to grow into an uncontrollable monster.

Roger 5201: It is not the booze, neither is it the religion that is to blame. The solution lies in teaching Malaysians acceptance and showing them the beauty and power of diversity.

Our younger generation seemed to have shrugged off this ‘ketuanan’ stuff, why can't the "adults" learn from them? Live and let live. It is our unity in diversity that ultimately brings hope to all Malaysians.

Aninymous_3148570413dnf: It will take time to drain the swamp (to use a well-worn phrase of late) but I personally have every confidence that our present leadership can out-think the knuckle-draggers who don't want a kinder and fairer Malaysia for all.

The knuckle-draggers want a society ruled by indoctrinated fear. The true and decent Malaysians rely on genuine faith. - Mkini