PAS respects non-Muslim rights, but beer brewing is not an 'essential service'

CORONAVIRUS | PAS respects the rights of non-Muslims who wish to consume alcohol, even during the movement control order (MCO) period.

Party information chief Kamaruzzaman Mohamad explained that PAS was of the position that the production of alcoholic beverages was not an essential service.

"PAS respects the rights of non-Muslims who wish to consume alcohol, just like in Kelantan and Terengganu.

"However, the consumption of alcohol should not cause problems for society and create disharmony.

"Moreover, it is not something essential when we are facing the Covid-19 outbreak," Kamaruzzaman said.

Last week, the government had briefly allowed two breweries to continue operations with a very small staff strength.

However, this permission was rescinded following criticisms by PAS and Umno leaders.

Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Rosol Wahid has since clarified that the government's initial intention was only to allow the brewers to distribute from their warehouses and not resume production.

Meanwhile, PAS Youth chief Khairil Nizam Khairudin said it would have been excessive for the government to consider beer brewing to be an "essential" service.

In a statement, Khairil said there was a critical need for other services that are currently not considered as an "essential" service, instead of beer production. - Mkini