Booze at Village Park ‘nasi lemak’ joint: “Let’s loosen up, don’t get uptight over the slightest thing”

 

Letter to Editor

AN unpopular opinion is a personal belief or point of view that goes against what most people think. People use this phrase online to share a “hot take” that breaks away from normal group habits and starts a debate.

What I am about to propose would most definitely fall under the category of “unpopular opinion”.

In recent days, many local social media followers would have come across the story of an irate Muslim nasi lemak fan.

Her grouse was not over the quality of her meal at the famed Petaling Jaya eatery, Village Park Restaurant, but the fact that she had to sit next to another diner who was thoughtlessly consuming beer brought from elsewhere.

The online backlash has been loud and swift with Malaysians from all creeds condemning the beer drinker’s antics.

It was also suggested that this were the actions of a foreigner as many have pointed out no self-respecting local would ever pair lager with nasi lemak for coconut milk a.k.a. santan and gassy beers don’t mix well – if you know, you know.

The common consensus is that locals are aware they aren’t allowed to bring soft drinks purchased elsewhere to a restaurant, never mind alcoholic beverages to a Chinese Muslim-owned establishment such as Village Park!

Feeling entitled

Local conventions dictate that this be the case and as many netizens noted, it is accepted and practiced without complaints by almost all Malaysians. This is what is called ‘mutual understanding and respect’.

The offended Muslim customer was also commended for her polite yet firm tone which was free of anger and unnecessary drama. Just a polite request that the premises be alcohol-free for the benefit of Muslim customers.

However, this is the unpopular opinion that I am about to profess to.

The customer @lisarhns claimed, “How could your waiters ignore people openly drinking alcohol here (right beside me while I was wearing a hijab) …?”

Yes, there is no argument that the beer drinker’s action was wrong. No two ways about it but the aggrieved lady’s complaint seems to smack of a sense of entitlement.

There seems to be an insinuation that citizens of all backgrounds must always tiptoe or worse, kowtow, to Muslims.

The incident was widely shared on social media including the right-leaning Halal inquiry Company direktori [sic] Facebook site where plenty of angry Muslims vented their spleen.

However, one brave soul thought otherwise and highlighted his experiences of dining at a Uyghur restaurant in China.

Not only was he welcomed with his beer but the restaurant owner was very accommodating by even providing glasses and keeping the amber nectar chilled in the fridge. None of the other diners, including Chinese Muslims locals, seem perturbed by the presence of beer.

The very unpopular opinion proffered here is that forcing non-Muslims to adhere and conform to certain expectations has led to this sense of entitlement. When there is no government enforcement for these matters, people are more relaxed and less uptight about such things.

It was suggested that this lack of official coercion allows a more laissez faire attitude among citizens who are free to act as they wish as long as it doesn’t infringe on the rights of others.

The mere sight of beer by Muslim eyes is NOT treated as a capital offence.

The lady may have been right in this instance as beer is definitely a no-no in an establishment such as Village Park but far too often, this attitude has seen a narrowing of attitudes.

Respect goes both ways

Let me expound further.

Have we not come across Muslim parents grumbling that their offspring in public universities are “forced” to share dormitory/hostel rooms with non-Muslims, thus making it difficult for females to remove their headscarves a.k.a. tudung (as it is argued this is not permitted in presence of non-Muslims even if same gender).

How about placing of non-halal items in a work place’s communal fridge? Note that the reverse hardly ever applies. For example, a Muslim colleague is unlikely to be admonished if they place beef items in the cooler of an office with Hindu and Buddhist workmates.

Will Malaysian Muslims become so intolerant that the mere sight of others in short pants cause a meltdown? This has already become a topic of debate with dress codes in government buildings being over-zealously applied.

The original poster’s complaint is completely legitimate but the language that is couched, polite as it may outwardly seem, disguises a deeper and much more troubling issue – the mere sight of a Muslim will need others to bow to their sensitivities.

While every Malaysian regardless of their creed and belief respects Islam as the country’s official religion, we need mutual respect – not religious/cultural supremacy – for our secular, melting pot nation to thrive. 

Blue IC Holder
Seremban, Negeri Sembilan

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.