'Use vending machines to prevent Muslim workers from handling alcohol'

PARLIAMENT | The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) will consider a proposal for convenience stores to use vending machines to sell alcoholic beverages so that Muslim workers would not have to handle the products.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Islamic Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan said the government always welcomes fresh ideas that can help address concerns about Muslims having to handle alcoholic beverages at work, which is considered haram in Islam.

"We really appreciate the idea raised by YB Pulai, and we will try to bring it for discussion at relevant platforms," he said during an oral question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat this morning.

Zulkifli was responding to a question by Suhaizan Kaiat (Harapan-Pulai), who wanted to know if the government can introduce a new mechanism which can help prevent Muslim workers from having to be involved in business transactions related to alcoholic drinks.

Suhaizan (above) expressed his concern about seeing Muslims working at convenience store chains needing to handle the selling of such products.

In saying this, he suggested that Jakim engage local authorities to create a new guideline for shops to do it through vending machines.

"This is so that the Muslim workers would not have to directly sell or hand alcoholic beverages to customers," he said.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Islamic Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan

Zulkifli also listed several other efforts that Jakim had undertaken to address the issue.

Besides awareness campaigns, the deputy minister told the Dewan Rakyat that Jakim also helps Muslim workers who wish to get out from industries that sell alcohol.

This is done by providing them with temporary financial assistance through zakat centres and state religious councils until they can get more appropriate employment through several programmes, he added. - Mkini