Debates heating up over PAS’ proposed alcohol ban

A Chinese community leader here does not view the call by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) to suspend all production and sales of alcoholic beverages, as an effective way to address the problem of drink-driving in Malaysia.

Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations (SFCA) president Datuk Richard Wee acknowledges the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, but he also believes that there are many other ways to deal with it, one of which is imposing harsher punishment upon the offender.

“Other countries have their ways of dealing with this issue.

“In China, if you go above the limit (of alcoholic beverage consumption), you’d go to jail – they (Chinese authorities) do not care who you are, because no one is above the law.

“In Australia, if you’re in no position to drive (due to being under the influence of alcohol), you’d go to jail – then the next day upon your release, you’d be fined AUS$1,000 or AUD$2,000, then they would deduct your demerit points,” he said.

Wee said if Malaysia had such a demerit point system, it could be a more effective in deterring drinkdriving.

“For example – if you had 10 demerit points within a year, they would not allow you to renew your licence, which would be revoked for a year. I guess this is a very effective deterrent,” he said, adding that those intending to consume alcoholic drinks at any event should arrange for ehailing transportation, instead of driving to and back from the place themselves.

Wee also called upon all political parties to not politicise the issue.

“Do not make it a religious thing; it would be very sensitive.

“If you were to ban (sales of) alcoholic drinks, then ban the ‘Mat Rempit’ (illegal motorcycle racing and manoeuvrings on highways and public roads) activities as well; if you’re worried about accidents, then ban the cars; if you’re worried about your computer being hacked, don’t use the Internet,” he said.

Meanwhile, an Iban community leader stressed that alcoholic beverages had always been a part of their culture and traditions, such as the usage in rituals like the ‘miring’ and also in traditional dishes like ‘Kacang Ma’.

“Nobody asks you to ‘drink until you drop’ – the people who always get drunk and make a scene are those who do not know how to handle their drinks, and they’re the ones who abuse it.

“Do not get all these things mixed up with religion,” said Penghulu Jakup Buan.

For Sarawak Aspiration for People’s Aspiration (Sapa) information and publicity chief Peter John Jaban, PAS should stop treating Malaysians ‘like children’.

“Sapa and the SAS (Solidariti Anak Sarawak) are calling upon all elected representatives, especially those from Sarawak, to reject this ban (against production and sales of alcoholic beverages), as well as any future attempt to pass Islamic legislations ‘through the backdoor’.

“PAS is ‘treating Malaysians like children’ – they completely ignore our rights of determining the course of our lives as voting adults.

“This is a multi-culture nation where the vast majority of the population choose to consume alcohol in moderation, as do billions of people around the world.

“This said – why should there be a blanket ban on them just to please a small minority that disapproves alcohol for religious reasons? When it comes to drink-driving, the only appropriate response is to target the wrongdoers and leave the rest to carry on without interference.”

Peter also underlined Sarawak as a place with a unique sociocultural mix, with non-Muslims being the majority of its population.

He said the ban on alcohol would put Malaysia among a minority of nations that chose to implement this, risking Malaysians to be labelled as ‘Islamic extremists’.

“Even Dubai has not taken this step,” he claimed.

Adding on, Peter said the suggestion by PAS would drive every single bar and entertainment outlet owner in Malaysia, who were already suffering from the movement restrictions, out of business.

“Furthermore, it would kill the tourism industry, which is also teetering on the brink of destruction,” he added.

The debates over the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohols have emerged following the death of a 41-year-old man after the car that he was in was hit by another car, which was going against the traffic flow at Jalan Pintasan in Kuantan recently.

The driver of the other car is believed to have been driving under the influence of alcohol.