It was reported in today’s Chinese media that the Melaka state government has banned the sale of liquor in Malay areas in Melaka.
Malacca Housing, Local Government and Environment Exco Datuk Ismail Othman when contacted by the media has confirmed the ban and said that the convenience stores, minimarkets, sundry shops and other retailers with license to sell liquor will be notified of the ban.
The justification given by Ismail is that on one night, he saw that Malay youths could easily buy liquor.
Such justification is shallow, illogical and unacceptable as what has happened requires stricter control, regulation and enforcement, certainly not a total ban.
The total ban does not only cause inconvenience to non Muslims, it may and can also lead to the introduction of more extreme policies.
What constitutes a Malay area to the Melaka government? More than 50 % Malay residents?
In many supermarkets in the Malaysian towns, Malays form sizable number of the regular customers. They have no problem with non halal products including beer and hard liquor being sold in a special non halal section.
If Melaka state government is allowed to impose such liquor sale ban in Malay areas due to its own failure to enforce the rules and on the excuse that Malays can buy liquor easily, will it not one day extend such ban to supermarkets where sizable number of Malays frequent with the same excuse?
Will the next policy of the Melaka state government be the forced closure of shops during Muslims’ fasting month in Malay areas if a Muslim is caught to break the fasting rule in a Chinese shop that sells non halal foods?
Since the last general election, the nation has seen the growth of political extremism and Melaka state government’s policy is a dangerous precedent that must be strongly opposed.
MCA President Dato Seri Liow Tiong Lai must explain why the two Melaka MCA Excos have supported the unacceptable policy.
And if the Excos ‘ excuse is that they did oppose but were out voted, then Liow must be prepared to direct that they immediately resign their Exco positions to express their clear and strong objection to the policy.