File 42 : Beer in Selangor...

Recently, the issue of beer selling in Selangor was hotly debated. We heard many opinions either from the mainstream medias or the alternative medias. Its ok. Malaysia is a democratic country and we upheld freedom of speech, right?

Well, I want to give a neutral view over this matter. An honest opinion from the eyes and thinking of a student who's neutral, partyless, and apolitical. Firstly, I totally disagreed with EXCO Hal Ehwal Agama Islam, Datuk Hassan Ali. And secondly, I agreed with MB Khalid's approach - self-regulatory.

Datuk Hassan Ali had said that there will be a total prohibition on beer selling at Muslim-majority areas in Shah Alam, comprising of Section 1 to 24.When asked, how if a non-Muslim wants to drink, he answered that the person has to go to any section where there is no ban on beer selling, such as Section 25. It's true, his intention is noble i.e to prevent Muslim youths from abusing alcohol. However, he didn't realized that his decision directly affect the non-Muslims while we know as a matter of fact that Syariah law does not apply to non-Muslims. When there is a total prohibition, wouldn't it directly affect the non-Muslims?

I am not against the idea of controlling the sale of alcoholic beverages. But when there is a total prohibition, many things can happen. TheSun daily had included a small column recently, highlighting the impact of prohibiton on beer selling in the USA. When there was a total ban in the USA, the selling of alcoholic beverages were done underground and controlled by the mafia. It had became an underground industry where gangsters were fighting to control the selling of such drinks at a particular territory. Just as drugs. When drugs selling is ban, people get it underground. Black market, my friends...

That's why I agreed with MB's approach. Self regulatory is the way it should be. Sellers and buyers should have a sense of responsibility. That way, it will become less controversial and if the guideline is followed properly, alcohol abuse will be lesser.


Photo is theSun's property.