The phrase “sensitivities of Muslims” is often used as carte blanche when no plausible reasons could be afforded when ridiculous and bird-brained theories are advanced.
When the reasoning of religious zealots is summarily dismissed and challenged and when they cannot defend their actions, they feel that the token “sensitivities” will suffice as justification.
On April 7, 2020, I wrote: “Over the years, the phrase ‘religious sensitivity’ has been abused and misused by all and sundry - religious leaders, politicians, backboneless civil servants and above all, wannabe politicians and those who seek their five minutes of fame.
“There’s nothing that can escape their eyes or ears. Aided and abetted by people within the system, they will go to great lengths to achieve their objectives, which can sometimes be described as birdbrained.”
Fifteen years ago, anything resembling a cross was deemed an affront to their religion, so much so, that I had suggested (in jest) that the plus sign (+) sign be removed from school textbooks so that their followers will not “be confused” as they had claimed.
This was followed by Selangor PAS which wanted the Pakatan Rakyat state government to implement a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol in all Muslim-majority areas.
Then came the protests against Oktoberfest events, described as “pesta arak”, without understanding its origins, notwithstanding that it is a German cultural festival. Even local authorities supported the call for a ban citing “security reasons”.
If the state cannot provide safety for citizens to enjoy their beers in a pub or a restaurant or in any licenced designated place, then, all we can say is that the system has failed and its hidden hands are exposed.
In between, Umno leader Jamal Yunos used a sledgehammer to smash crates of beer bottles outside the Selangor State Secretariat (SUK) building in Shah Alam, back in 2017.
"If you want to drink, let (then-Selangor menteri besar) Azmin Ali and the gang, the executive councillors, drink and get drunk in their offices. But don't let the Selangor people become drunk at beer parties," Jamal charged.
‘Religious elements’
Then, PAS again called Muslims to stay away from the Bon Odori Festival due to concerns of “religious elements” at the Japanese cultural event despite Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah ordering the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) not to forbid Muslims from attending the festival.
As an act of defiance, both the PAS Ulama Council and its women’s wing issued statements to urge Muslims not to participate in the Bon Odori festival.
In between, there were isolated reports of self-appointed vigilantes going around shops ordering them to stop selling beer.
Over the weekend, a video of Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan holding discussions with a Penang mall’s management on beer promotion emerged.
Why would he take umbrage at the promotion as such events are held in almost all malls and shopping centres throughout the country? The sale is not being carried out in a public place but within the confines of the mall.
The PAS lawmaker said that during the meeting, he had expressed a “strong objection” to the large-scale promotion and sale of alcoholic beverages in the main lobby area.
“To safeguard the sensitivities of Muslims… it is hoped that such a situation does not recur,” Fawwaz said.
Utter bunkum. How does it affect the sensitivities of Muslims? No one is putting a gun to the heads of anyone to compel them to buy the beers or consume them. It is an individual’s choice.
At every supermarket, there are areas where crates of beer are stacked up for sale. Every day, customers push their trolleys past these stacks and it only attracts those who buy beer. Period.
The beer promotion is inside the mall and it is not for on-site consumption. It is for consumers to take them home, and share them with friends and family. Or if they use it to fertilise their rose plants, it is not the business of an elected representative, let alone a lawmaker.
Going into overdrive
Five years ago when the protests against Oktoberfest went into overdrive, I wrote: “…the nation is being held to ransom by a handful of zealots. Yet, the government is watching with folded arms and refuses to stand up to this kind of bullying.
“Even the civil service has become subservient to the frolics of the few. All and sundry have got their priorities wrong for political expediency.
“At every turn, religion is creeping into our daily lives unabated. Despite espousing moderation, both verbally and in writing, these so-called advocates of temperance and reasonableness retreat into their cocoons when confronted with issues.”
Religion is being used to interfere with our rights. It is not that we are consuming bootleg as there are two licensed breweries through which the government collected more than RM2.2 billion in taxes in 2021. Besides, both employ over 1,500 people and they indirectly provide income for another 52,000.
Each religion has its own sets of values and diktats and they differ. But to impose one’s morals, ethics and beliefs on another is surely not acceptable.
I previously wrote: “We cannot continue putting up our hands and saying, ‘What can we do?’ We have to say, ‘Enough is enough’, and collectively drown the voices of the few who are trying to impose their values on the rest of the citizens.”
If Fawwaz did it for his two minutes of fame, he succeeded, but his actions have left a bitter taste in the mouths of Malaysians - worse than stale or flat beer. - Mkini
R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who writes on bread-and-butter issues. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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