The Malaysian Insight

THE Timah controversy and subsequent decision to ban any brand name deemed offensive to any race and religion is “absurd”, “crazy” and “silly”, said the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism.

Its deputy president, Dao Zhang Tan Hoe Chieow, said unity will regress in the country each day if the authorities allow this to go on.

The Federation of Taoist Associations Malaysia president said implementing the regulation will be difficult as what is deemed offensive is subjective.

Timah has a logical explanation on its brand name, one far from offensive, but it still had to backtrack and change its name, he added.

“Malaysia should not be like this. This is a secular thing. Who is to decide if we want to ban certain words?” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“Should there be a new procedure when we want to apply for a brand name? Do we need to go through a ministry or the Islamic Development Department?”

Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had yesterday said the cabinet has agreed to ban any brand name that causes racial and religious offences.

Tan said the racial and religious tolerance is upsetting in Malaysia, adding that Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country in the world, is doing better.

He said there is a need for balance in the National Unity Ministry, since, in the past, it was headed by a non-Malay or Sabahan.

“We had a Malay minister (Halimah Mohamed Sadique) with a Chinese deputy (Ti Lian Ker), who cared for non-Malay affairs (under former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration).

“But after the change of leadership (to Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob), both minister and deputy are Malay-Muslims (Halimah and Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, respectively).

“Is unity just for the Malays?”

On top of that, Malaysia also has a Malay-Muslim as religious affairs minister, he added.

Malaysia University of Science and Technology academic Professor Geoffrey Williams said any change of branding should be determined by the market and customers.

The question of whether a brand or product is offensive is subjective and should be determined by the market, he added.

“This is determined by what customers, potential customers and wider stakeholders feel is offensive.

“If you do not like the branding or the brand message, then do not buy the product. Hit the company where it hurts in their sales. This will make the company change the brand because they are more committed to the sales.”

Religious Affairs Minister Idris Ahmad from PAS is adamant that the local alcoholic beverage company immediately change its Timah brand name.

In recent weeks, PAS supporters had on social media accused non-Muslims of deliberately confusing Muslims as “Timah” sounds like the short-form for “Fatimah”, the name of Prophet Muhammad’s daughter.

Some said the brand’s label also closely resembles a Muslim man because of his long beard and skullcap.

Winepark Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd has agreed to change the name of its product following a meeting with government officials. – October 31, 2021.