Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has issued a stern warning to Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing and his ministry following a controversy over the serving of alcohol at a dinner held in conjunction with Tourism Malaysia’s Global Travel Meet.
The prime minister also cautioned the entire Cabinet and Putrajaya’s administrative machinery against any negligence regarding the prohibition of alcohol at government events, emphasizing the importance of adhering to cultural sensitivities, according to Bernama.
The issue came to light after Bersatu MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin posted a video on Facebook last Saturday, questioning why alcoholic beverages were served at a government-related event. She argued that the presence of alcohol breached Malaysia’s cultural and constitutional norms, sparking public debate.
In response, Tiong denied claims that alcohol was served at a government-hosted gala dinner. He clarified that the event was organized by private sector partners to celebrate Malaysia’s inaugural global travel event of its kind, rather than being a fully government-led function.
Tiong further explained that while Tourism Malaysia had initially been the organizer, private sector players recognized the opportunity to secure significant business deals and subsequently took over the planning and execution of the dinner.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, responding to the controversy, stated that Umno would raise its objections to the serving of alcohol at the upcoming Cabinet meeting, signaling further discussions on the matter.
The incident has highlighted the need for greater vigilance in ensuring that government-associated events align with Malaysia’s cultural and legal expectations, particularly on sensitive issues like alcohol consumption.
