Amanah lawmakers have put forth “practical proposals” for Malaysia Airlines to address concerns regarding the serving of alcohol on its flights, amid the opposition’s supposed failure to offer workable solutions despite its repeated complaints.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament today, Pulai MP Suhaizan Kaiat stressed that Amanah is not seeking to prevent non-Muslims from consuming alcohol on flights, noting that the party is instead focused on proposing alternative measures via “new methods”.
Shah Alam MP Azli Yusof added that the proposals are necessary as “the opposition has been repeatedly pushing the issue while, as usual, offering no solutions.”
“Amanah is stepping forward - we understand the sensitivities surrounding the matter, and that’s why we’re coming forward with recommendations (that) we believe can actually be implemented by our national airline,” Azli (above, left) said.
One of the MPs suggested an automated beverage dispenser system, which will allow non-Muslims to order their own alcoholic beverages through an in-flight entertainment screen.
The proposed system would not require Muslim flight attendants to directly serve alcohol to passengers, as such beverages would instead be stored in a locked compartment, accessible only after verification of the passenger’s age and “status”.
Besides exclusively assigning the task of serving alcohol to non-Muslim staff members, the party also advocated for the introduction of a “halal zone” on aircraft, featuring several rows of alcohol-free seating areas managed entirely by Muslim crew.
They also suggested that alcohol should not be offered automatically on Malaysia Airlines’ flights, but only served to passengers who requested it.
“We’re putting these suggestions forward to make things easier for everyone - the airline and its passengers alike,” Suhaizan (top picture, right) said.
“The Islamic approach is not to provoke confrontation or disputes, but to offer solutions that are practical, ethical, and forward-looking.”
Suhaizan, Azli, Sri Gading MP Aminolhuda Hassan, and Hulu Langat MP Sany Hamzan endorsed a statement on the proposals.
Yesterday, DAP MP Lim Lip Eng mockingly suggested that PAS start its own air service company, in an apparent dismissal of the Islamist party’s repeated call to ban alcohol on Malaysia Airlines flights.
Lim’s remarks came after PAS’ Hulu Selangor MP, Hasnizan Harun, last week reiterated the party’s appeal for the national flag carrier to cease serving alcohol on flights, arguing that Muslim flight attendants and customers are in an uncomfortable dilemma due to the matter.
In 2017, then-PAS Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari gave a similar suggestion after a passenger, who was believed to be drunk, entered the cockpit of a Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur-bound flight, forcing the aircraft to turn back to Melbourne, Australia. - Mkini
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