PARLIAMENT | A PAS lawmaker hopes that one day there will be no more alcohol industry in Malaysia.
Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PAS-Pasir Mas) said he hoped this could be done through educating the public.
"We hope that in the end, the alcohol industry will be no more in our country. This may need to be done through gradual education so that the public sees that alcohol is not needed in their lives.
"The people must be given an understanding that alcoholic drinks are not a normal part of our lives," he said this while debating a bill to amend the Road Transport Act - which seeks, among others, to introduce harsher punishments for drink driving.
Ahmad Fadhli said when there is no more alcohol it would solve the issue of drink driving and make such harsh laws unnecessary.
As a temporary measure, however, the Pasir Mas MP suggested that parking at bars be limited.
This is to discourage drinkers from driving to drinking establishments and encourage them to take either public transportation or e-hailing rides instead.
Last year, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, who is now the de facto law minister, said the party has no intention of banning alcohol should it form the federal government.
He stressed that even in PAS-ruled Kelantan, non-Muslims are allowed to purchase and consume alcohol.
“From the Islamic perspective, the consumption of alcohol is permitted for non-Muslims. PAS, as a party based on the principles of Islam, has no wish to create a policy banning alcohol for non-Muslims,” Takiyuddin had said.
This was reiterated by Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (PAS-Pasir Putih) today, who said Islam does not forbid non-Muslims from drinking alcohol.
However, Zawawi, who is a student of comparative religion, claimed that no religion actually allows their followers to consume alcohol.
Ngeh Khoo Ham (Harapan-Beruas), a Methodist Christian, interjected, saying the rule is to not consume to the point of intoxication.
He cited the use of wine in the Lord's Supper or communion, as well as the tale of Jesus' last supper where wine was consumed.
Zawawi, however, said in Christianity before the Bible "deviated" (terpesong), alcohol is not allowed.
He said what intoxicates in large amounts is not allowed in small amounts either.
Ngeh protested the use of the word terpesong and said understanding of different faiths should be asked to those who follow those religions.
Zawawi, however, insisted that his studies were based on texts written by Christian pastors, and not Muslim scholars.
Meanwhile, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Harapan-Ledang) suggested that the government raise the price of alcohol to discourage overconsumption.
However, he said the government should also ban and crack down on bootleg alcohol which people turn to when alcohol prices are too high. - Mkini
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