There are benefits in having a tipple

I’M sorry but Samuel Yesuiah cannot be allowed to get away with his scary imagination and unsubstantiated claims that bear only a passing acquaintance with the facts, “Drinking alcohol will slowly eat away at life” ( The Star, Sept 23). He paints our dear country as if it is the worst kind of dystopia.

To put things into perspective, per capita (after removing the Muslim population) consumption of alcohol puts Malaysia at about No. 130 in the world. That’s quite a sobering fact.

During extensive travel to many of the countries higher up the list, I have never come across any evidence of the rampant addiction that Yesuiah believes we are suffering locally.

Actually, moderate consumption of alcohol is beneficial to health.

By Yesuiah’s reckoning, I should not even be alive.

I am 70 years old (though looking as if I’m in my 50s) and have been taking alcohol regularly since my teenage years.

I still, by choice, work full time (I don’t suffer from the Malaysian disease of yearning to retire at 55) and have a great family life.

My successful career has ensured that my three children all attended prestigious overseas universities.

I have never taken a day’s sick leave in my life. My excellent health and fitness means that I could probably run 10km quicker than most men half my age. But I am by no means exceptional.

Banning beer festivals will not make a drop of difference to the amount of alcohol consumed. All the potential attendees will simply go to their usual pub even if they won’t be able to enjoy the camaraderie of those who enjoy similar pleasures on a bigger scale.

What message are we giving to the young? All of my kids (now adults), despite the exposure, hardly drink – their free choice.

Alcohol is already extremely expensive in Malaysia that it tends to discourage tourists who enjoy a relaxing beer while on holiday.

My life has been made an absolute joy by the inclusion of beer, wine and whisky.

And what I, or anyone else, do with my own body is no one else’s concern, assuming no laws are broken.

Alcohol may not figure in Malay culture but it certainly plays a part in Malaysian culture.