Malaysia's politics shaken and stirred by alcohol controversies

Reaction to Petronas CEO's actions at Singapore GP underlines worrying trend

- Hazlin Hassan

A screengrab showing Petronas president and chief executive Tengku Muhammad Taufik taking part in a champagne-spraying ceremony on the Formula One podium in Singapore on Oct 5.

(PHOTO: JOEZALUCHI/X)

First, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim rebuked a Cabinet minister for allowing alcohol at a government function.

Then, the chief of Malaysia's biggest company Petronas apologised for participating in the Formula One podium celebration where champagne was sprayed during the recent Singapore Grand Prix.

To top it off, a local drinks company withdrew its beer named after a prominent mountain in Sarawak after a lawmaker raised objections, saying the naming of an alcohol product after a state landmark was insensitive to the Muslim-majority constituency.

These events over a span of two months have highlighted once again the deep Malaysian-Muslim sensitivity to alcohol-related issues, even though some are concerned about increasing the racial and religious divide in the country.

They also underline a worrying trend: that politicians are quick to ride on these issues, calling upon the Muslims-under-attack narrative to garner maximum mileage.

This was seen when Umno Youth chief Akmal Saleh flogged “the socks printed with the word Allah” issue for months in early 2024.

Dr Phoon Wing Keong, head of the Huayan Policy Institute, a Chinese-Malaysian community think tank, told The Straits Times: “The Federal Constitution... establishes Islam as the religion of the federation while safeguarding the freedom of other religions.