MP slams govt for giving in to rhetoric over Timah controversy

 

Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has slammed the government for giving in to "extreme rhetoric and sentiments" perpetrated by certain quarters over the controversy surrounding the name of local whiskey brand Timah.

His criticism came after the company manufacturing the homegrown whiskey agreed to consider changing its name and image on its label.

“There are so many other important matters the country is grappling with including rising prices and how the people are suffering economically on the ground.

“But instead the government chose to give in to such extreme sentiments, which is an insult to the intelligence of any sensible man or woman,” the DAP lawmaker said in a statement today.

Yii (above) added that he is also disappointed that the announcement of the company decision was made by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is a Sarawakian GPS minister.

He said the issue has been blown out of proportion, so much so that it has provoked religious and racial controversy.

“This basically sets a dangerous precedent in our country where mere product names can be said to confuse any segment of the community and thus must be changed.

“This will make us a laughingstock of the international community,” Yii said.

Educate public

He suggested that attention should be shifted from the controversy to addressing the core issue, which is how to educate the public against the hazards of drinking excessive alcohol.

Yii also defended the rights of non-Muslims to consume alcohol, saying the country cannot give in to extreme rhetoric when Malaysia takes pride in moderation and being a pluralistic society.

“Whatever the brand name, alcohol is forbidden in Islam, but the rights of non-Muslims to drink it should be respected.

“We are a multiracial and multicultural society as we take pride in moderation.

“We cannot allow ourselves to give into such extreme rhetoric and allow a ‘non-issue’ like a whiskey’s name be blown out of proportion when Malaysia takes pride in moderation, as well as in multiracial and multicultural harmony,” he said.

The issue surrounding the Timah whiskey brand started when a portal named negaramerderka.com claimed the name “Timah” was similar to the name of Prophet Muhammad’s daughter Fatimah.

The sentiment was soon echoed by Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (Mapim), and the issue quickly went viral on social media.

Meanwhile, PKR Tangga Batu MP Rusnah Aluai today likened drinking the Timah brand whiskey to “drinking a Malay woman”. - Mkini