A Sarawak DAP leader has expressed disappointment with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s handling of the controversy surrounding the serving of alcohol at a Tourism Malaysia gala dinner, accusing him of yielding to opposition narratives.
George Lam, the Sarawak DAP Youth secretary, voiced concerns over Anwar’s “stern warning” to Tourism Minister Tiong King Sing regarding the incident at the Global Travel Meet event. In a statement, Lam argued that the Pakatan Harapan chairman should have adopted a more balanced and moderate stance to avoid alienating non-Muslim Malaysians.
“Such a response has inevitably disappointed many non-Muslim Malaysians and raised doubts about the unity government’s future policy direction,” Lam said, highlighting growing unease about the government’s approach.
Lam urged Anwar to resist pressure from “extreme” parties and focus on fostering economic growth and enhancing Malaysia’s international reputation. He also called on the prime minister to support Tiong’s efforts in preparing for the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026 campaign, which aims to showcase the nation’s multicultural identity.
“It would be unwise and inconsistent with the principles of a moderate and inclusive government to make religiously charged remarks just to appease a small group of extremists,” Lam said. “As we promote Malaysia’s multicultural spirit and strengthen global engagement, we must not allow extremist narratives to dictate our national agenda. Malaysia must proudly present itself as a moderate, open, and diverse nation united in ensuring the success of VMY 2026.”
The controversy sparked criticism from some quarters, with calls for Tiong, a Gabungan Parti Sarawak leader, to resign for allegedly disrespecting Muslims and violating government guidelines. Anwar clarified that the government’s policy prohibits alcohol at official functions, deeming its presence at the event inappropriate, even though Tiong noted the alcohol was served after the official programme concluded.
In response, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture pledged to adhere to established guidelines and ethical standards in future programmes, expressing regret over the controversy caused by the gala dinner.
