Union rejects Amanah call for restrictions on Muslims in alcohol sale

 

Amanah vice-president Mujahid Yusof Rawa said Muslims should not be involved in serving, distributing or selling alcoholic drinks. (Freepik pic)

PETALING JAYA: A proposal for a “liquor policy” to restrict the involvement of Muslims in the manufacturing or sale of alcoholic drinks has been rejected by the union representing hotel, bar and restaurant workers.

The union’s secretary-general, Rosli Affandi, said the majority of the people in the food industry were Malays, and the introduction of a new “liquor policy” would affect their livelihoods.

“I totally disagree with any such policy. Businesses will be affected as Muslims will not be able to work at places serving alcohol. At present, they are just doing their jobs and not consuming any alcohol.

“Also, with the current Covid-19 situation, a lot of people from the B40 low-income group are already struggling to find a decent living. On top of that, every industry is struggling to build up their finances. This policy is definitely not a good idea for the economy or workers,” he told FMT.

Rosli Affandi.

The proposal for the new policy was made by Amanah vice-president Mujahid Yusof Rawa following a war of words over an award-winning Malaysian-made whisky with the name “Timah”.

Mujahid said the liquor policy should including a ban on Muslims from being involved in the processing, sale, transport or serving of alcoholic drinks, and other related activities, as well as a ban on any promotion of alcohol.

Rosli added such a policy would open the floodgates to an influx of foreigners taking over these jobs.

An international business chamber has also warned against the introduction of such a policy.

Shaun Cheah.

Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry executive director Shaun Cheah said it would have a negative impact on foreign investment, and that conservative policies would scare away potential investors.

He said the policy would affect freight forwarders if the government moved ahead with its proposal for 51% Bumiputera ownership of freight forwarding companies.

Freight forwarders would also be the ones importing alcoholic beverages. “With this liquor policy in place, Muslims will not be able to transport any alcohol. This will definitely impact many businesses,” he said.

Cheah also said the majority of delivery workers were Muslim.

He also said there was no need for the government to intervene in their livelihoods as Muslims were just earning their salary and income legitimately. - FMT