Anwar defends right of non-Muslims to drink alcohol

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim last night defended the right of non-Muslims to drink alcohol, while also defending Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun's right not to be complicit in the matter.

This follows an uproar among non-Muslims over the ban on the sale of alcohol at the Seremban International Golf Club (SIGC) - of which Aminuddin became the president after being appointed menteri besar.

"Some people in Kuala Lumpur were furious. 'What kind of menteri besar is this, can't compromise, can't drink beer'.

"I want to say this, if non-Muslims want to drink beer it is their right, we (Muslims) have never had the right to prevent this... But he (Aminuddin) as the president, he didn't want to be complicit.

"It is fine for (former menteri besar) Mohamad Hasan. Mohamad can compromise because he is close to PAS, so selling alcohol is fine. I want him to see how he answers this," Anwar said.

He was speaking at a ceramah for the April 13 Rantau by-election in Kampung Felda Sendayan.

The beer ban at SIGC reportedly came into effect in August last year, after Pakatan Harapan took over the state. The ban has been overturned after an extraordinary general meeting last week.

Aminuddin (photo), who served as the club’s president, denied personally ordering the ban on the sale of alcohol at the club.

Anwar said the issue has become a point of contention among Indian voters in the Rantau by-election.

"(BN's candidate) Mohamad wants to secure the Indians. The Indians say 'Mat Hasan is good, he is OK. (We) can drink (under him)'

"Sometimes I see in Indian areas (they say), 'this menteri besar (Aminuddin) is very strict, he is extreme'.

"No, that is not right. We must respect his right (not to be complicit)," Anwar said.

He repeatedly stressed that non-Muslims are allowed to consume alcohol and would not be prevented from doing so.

Almost 45 percent of Rantau voters are non-Malays, with 26 percent of these voters being Indians.

The Rantau by-election is a four-corned fight among Mohamad, PKR's Dr S Streram, and independent candidates R Malar and Mohd Nor Yasin.

The seat fell vacant after the Federal Court upheld a decision to void Mohamad's walkover win last year.

This stemmed from the returning officer's move to block Streram from filing his nomination papers in the 2018 general election. - Mkini