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PETALING JAYA: Former Chief General of the Armed Forces (Rtd) Tan Sri Dr. Hashim Mohd Ali expressed opposition to the ban on the sale of hard liquor in grocery and sundries stores, as well as convenience stores and medical stores china in Kuala Lumpur.
Hashim, who is also chairman of a group made up of retired military chiefs known as the Circle of Chiefs, said the Armed Forces are made up of Muslims and non-Muslims and open buying and drinking for non-Muslim officers of the Malaysian Armed Forces Commercial Corporation (Pernama) stores have never been a problem.
“In fact, it allowed high-level authorities to monitor the buying and drinking behavior of non-Muslim armed forces personnel under their watch,” he said.
Hashim, who is also a former president of Pernama, echoed the views of Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan Chairman Datuk Brig-General (Rtd), Mohamed Arshad Raji, who on Monday (Nov 23) also opposed the measure. Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL).
Hashim said he shared Arshad’s view that the rights of non-Muslims should be respected.
“While it is not my business to promote alcohol consumption, we must respect the rights of non-Muslims, as we live in a multi-religious country and for many generations there have been no problems with the sale of liquor at these outlets,” he said.
He added that there are also local studies and no evidence to link the sale of alcoholic beverages from these outlets to alcohol behind the wheel or health problems.
“There are much more harmful things, such as cigarettes, that are sold in these outlets and there should be no double standards involved in coming up with a policy of this type to stop the sale of liquor.”
“Also, the last thing our economy needs in this Covid-19 pandemic and after is more restrictions on legitimate business activities,” he said.
Hashim also found it alarming that the Deputy Minister of the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Ahmad Marzuk Shaary, suggested that the ban may be extended to other states.
Marzuk made the statement on Saturday (November 21) and said he did not rule out the possibility of the rule extending outside of Kuala Lumpur.
Hashim also called for the ban to be lifted, otherwise it could undermine Rukun Negara’s spirit, national unity and cultural harmony, as well as the diversity enjoyed by both Muslims and non-Muslims.
“I would like to remind ministerial novices not to be blindly overzealous in imposing their religious beliefs on Malaysians of other faiths. That in itself goes against the fundamental tenets of Islam, which commands Muslims in authority to protect rights. and freedoms of non-Muslims in their care, “he said.
On November 16, DBKL announced that from October 1 of next year, grocery and sundries stores, convenience stores and Chinese medicine stores in Kuala Lumpur will not be able to sell hard liquors.
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