Tapai reaches the parts even beer cannot reach

by MARIAM MOKHTAR

Having scaled the heights of superstardom, as part of the Ketuanan Melayu brigade, the Malay will slowly turn into a "snowflake", and soon become extinct.

The term "snowflake" is an insult, often used to describe someone who is extremely sensitive, or feels a strong sense of entitlement and demands special consideration.

The Malay in Malaysia faces a new threat. It is not the communists, the DAP, Singaporeans or Christians. Malays are at risk from their own ministers and Jakim.

Just when we thought that politicians had stopped treating the Malays like fools, along came the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Mujahid Yusof Rawa (photo, above), to dash our hopes. 

Mujahid is in danger of cultivating a new breed of Muslims in Malaysia, called the "snowflake" generation, although some will claim that this generation already exists.

Snowflakes are hostile to people whose views do not resonate with theirs. They do not like to be challenged. They only feel comfortable in the presence of other snowflakes.

On 14 July, Mujahid warned beer manufacturers in Malaysia that producing alcohol-free beer would confuse Muslims and make them think that they could consume the drink.

Friends who have visited Mecca claim that the luxury hotels stock alcohol-free beer in the mini-bar. Are the Saudis more laid-back than us? Would the Haj package state somewhere, in small print, that the mini-bar is out of bounds?

Mujahid claimed that Muslims were forbidden from drinking the alcohol-free beer, because it is made with the same process as alcohol, including the distillation method.

Hasn't he got it wrong? Spirits are distilled to purify the product, hence the higher alcohol content, whereas beer is brewed.

What about tapai (below)? This is a refreshing and intoxicating traditional Malay dessert. Its commercial production supports local industries. It is 100 percent halal. Will Mujahid ban tapai?

Mujahid said that it was not a "wise move" to confuse Muslims with non-alcoholic beer, but failed to say how it will affect Muslims.

Why is Mujahid continuing the Jakim tradition of making Malays look stupid? His latest directive reflects badly on him.

Why stop at non-alcoholic beer? Why not ban the word "arak" too? While they are at it, why not ban all the Malay words which contain the word "arak", such as "perarakan" and "jarak"?

Earlier this year, MAS was forced to issue an apology because its inflight magazine "Going Places" featured a speciality dish of wagyu beef, sold by a restaurant in one of its popular tourist destinations. 

In the end, it was revealed that the medium-rare, red-tinged meat, that had caused offence among some NGOs, was not a pork-dish, but was beef.

Mujahid is in danger of creating a hostile trading environment, in which the business community will be at the mercy of snowflakes and NGOs that will insist that their sensitivities be protected.

During the Umno-Baru era, “hot dogs” had to be renamed, because Jakim claimed that Muslim tourists would get confused and think that dogs were being served in a bun.

One Chinese New Year, T-shirts had only 10 caricatures of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, because the shops were afraid to offend snowflakes' sensitivities over images of a dog and pig.

Malaysians have had issues with the cross, touching dogs, women's dress and the word "Allah", which is for the exclusive use of snowflakes.

Porcine DNA was allegedly discovered in chocolates, Tabasco sauce and butter.

Many people alleged that this was scaremongering, commercial extortion and a chance for Jakim to flex its muscles. Any whiff of religious impropriety could cost the company millions in ringgits. A business nightmare!

The ulamas and the religious men in Jakim are similar to our political leaders. They have an obsession with power. The rakyat is at their mercy. However, the discerning Malay can see past their warped thinking.

The religious leaders and ulamas keep us in check with the three "Rs". First, they use the race card. When that fails, they use the religion card and know that this should silence most people. If that were to fail too, they drag the last "R" in and throw the sedition book at the remaining dissenters. What chance does Joe Public have?

To add to the confusion, Muslim politicians, like tell the Malays that it is all right to steal and lie.

All is not lost because there is one thing that the government and Jakim fear.

The most dangerous threat to the Malaysian government and the ulama class is not an invading army, a contagious disease, or a nuclear threat. It is the thinking Malay. - Mkini