PN leaders continue to roar over Tiger Beer fundraiser

 

Perikatan Nasional leaders have come out swinging over a donation to a Chinese vernacular school which involved Tiger Beer.

Two of them, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari and Bersatu’s Permatang assemblyperson Nurul Syazwani Noh sank their fangs into Amanah women’s wing chief Aiman Athirah Sabu.

This is after Aiman labelled PAS leaders as “hypocrites” for attacking her presence at the fundraiser. She claimed that her detractors had no qualms meeting and greeting non-Muslims who were consuming alcohol or pork during election campaigns.

Responding to this, Fadhli advised the deputy housing and local government minister to refrain from “insulting” the Chinese community.

Pointing out that the issue concerned the guidelines for donations, the PAS leader also noted that Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek made it clear that there would be no exemptions.

PAS’ Ahmad Fadhli Shaari

“What does this have to do with eating pork?” he asked, adding that Muslims are not forbidden from greeting those who eat the meat, which is considered haram in Islam.

“For me, the person who takes bribes and reneges on promises made to the people is worse than the hand that eats the animal (pork). So, let us not insult the Chinese community,” he added.

Fadhli’s comments were published in PAS’ official organ Harakah, which featured a slew of articles on the issue, quoting various leaders.

Logo exposure to children

Nurul said the issue has nothing to do with race but rather ethics about receiving funds which go against moral and religious values.

On Aiman describing PAS as hypocrites, the Permatang assemblyperson said this gave the impression that the Islamist party was digressing from the main issue, which is exposing the logo of an alcoholic beverage to schoolchildren.

Bersatu’s Nurul Syazwani Noh

“This is not only about religion but also important from a moral aspect.

“Obtaining funds from this industry indirectly conveys the wrong message and normalises the logo for students as well as the funding which runs contrary to moral and educational ethics,” she added.

Questioning the need for financial assistance from breweries, Nurul asked if this reflected a lack of funding for the education sector.

“If this is true, then this is a bigger issue which needs to be addressed,” she added. - Mkini