A controversy over alcohol served at a Tourism Malaysia event has ignited a heated debate, with DAP’s Lim Lip Eng staunchly defending Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing against calls for his resignation. The issue stems from the Global Travel Meet (GTM), where alcohol was provided at a dinner, prompting criticism from some quarters.
Lim Defends Cost-Saving Move
Lim, the Kepong MP, clarified that industry players voluntarily took over hosting the GTM dinner to pursue new business opportunities, a decision Tiong approved to reduce government expenditure. “The facts are straightforward. Tiong’s initiative was practical, transparent, and aimed at saving costs,” Lim said in a statement. He described the move as aligned with Malaysia’s economic interests, particularly in the globally competitive tourism sector.
Lim accused Tiong’s critics of political opportunism, arguing that their “narrow-minded agenda” risks stifling tourism growth. “They would rather dictate how international visitors should behave than compete for their investment. I stand firmly with Tiong, whose decision was rational and responsible,” he said. He urged detractors to focus on promoting Malaysia globally rather than engaging in “political theatre.”
Critics Demand Apology
However, not all share Lim’s perspective. Penang Amanah Youth chief Khairul Ali called for a public apology from both the event organiser and the ministry, asserting that the GTM, despite private sector involvement, remained an official government event. “We demand strict guidelines to prevent such incidents in the future,” Khairul said, highlighting concerns over the appropriateness of serving alcohol.
The controversy escalated when Bersatu MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin claimed alcohol was served at a government-hosted dinner. Tiong refuted this, clarifying that private sector players, not the ministry, organised the event to secure lucrative business deals. He noted that Tourism Malaysia had initially planned the event but handed over responsibilities to industry stakeholders.
Cabinet to Address Concerns
The issue has drawn attention at the highest levels, with Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stating he would raise Umno’s objections to the serving of alcohol at the upcoming Cabinet meeting. The debate underscores broader tensions over cultural sensitivities and Malaysia’s image as a multicultural, tourism-friendly nation.
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