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Malaysian Islamic State Bans Drinking In Public
by Kazi Mahmood for IslamOnline
KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The Malaysian Pan Islamic Party (PAS), fresh from its victory over the ruling National Malay Party (UMNO) in the battle for the use of the word "Islam" in politics, has decreed a ban on drinking in public in the state of Terengganu.
The tiny town of Kuala Terengganu, once busy with tourists openly drinking at the seaside and other public places, will soon be an alcohol free area.
The state government, run by staunch Muslim follower Hadi Awang of the PAS, has ordered all pubs and bars still operating in the area to stop serving beer or any alcoholic beverages.
This ban on public drinking is yet to come under attack from the central government or from anti-PAS politicians, yet party members said they expected a deluge of criticism soon.
"Every move for more Islamization is criticized by the government or by its members. At times, the party suffers criticism from its partners in the opposition coalition. But it has its aims and it will deliver the goods," said a resident of Kuala Terengganu who voted for the PAS in 1999.
The ruling enters into force next month, after which, foreigners or locals who consume alcoholic products will have to do it behind closed doors, at home in particular.
The PAS has already imposed a prohibition policy against gambling, alcohol, discos and other forms of "deviant" entertainment since it took power from the UMNO one and a half years ago.
The state of Kelantan, neighboring Terengganu, has banned all anti-Islamic activities since it came to power some 12 years ago. Its main objective of implementing Islamic Hudud laws under the Shari'ah has not been successful, though.
Most public places selling alcohol in Terengganu are non-Muslim owned restaurants, Chinese coffee shops and hotels.
The PAS says the new rules are supposed to prevent Muslims from drinking, or from being influenced to drink. Thus non-Muslims will not be allowed to drink in public altogether, it said.
Recently, the Municipal council of Kuala Terengganu, the capital city of the oil rich state, renewed the liquor licenses of liquor shops in town. It said non-Muslims would be allowed to buy the beverages from these shops only.
Those having the license to sell liquor are also not allowed to sell to Muslims. Those found guilty of flouting the new rules will have their premises sealed and the owners prosecuted.
The ban will be implemented in stages in all districts with Besut the first district to impose the ruling early this year, followed by Marang district on March 31st.
The Kemaman district council has already issued notice on the matter while six other districts will follow.
Kuala Terengganu municipal council president Mokhtar Nong said the council would enforce the ruling from May 4th onwards.
However, he said the council would consider giving exemptions to serve liquor for Chinese weddings.
Those selling alcohol without licenses is in effect until May 4th in order for them to finish their stocks. After that deadline, enforcement of the rule will be implemented. The Municipal Council said stern action would be taken.
The Terengganu government tried to impose a special tax called kharaj on non-Muslims, a move that came under severe criticism from the UMNO. The PAS has since then delayed its imposition of the tax.
The ban also affects karaoke bars, unisex salons and snooker centers. It requires Muslim women to wear the headscarf in public, but as yet, many Muslim women can still be seen without headscarves in the town.
The PAS acknowledged that tourism would suffer from these bans, but the party says it will not retract from its Islamization efforts. The state has a huge majority of Malay-Muslims, more than 58% of which voted for the PAS in 1999.
In Kuala Lumpur, the first criticism against the PAS was registered Sunday. Malaysian Chinese Youth chief Ong Tee Keat said the ruling only showed the PAS was not sincere in its call for liberal policies.
He said the Islamic party must learn to show respect to others, adding that the ban was a blatant violation of the people's right to choose for themselves.
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