The Malaysian Insight

THE Perak Muslim group Jabat that cleared a Speedmart99 outlet of beer should leave such actions to the authorities, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said.

He said despite Muslims’ concerns about alcohol, they should not impose their beliefs on the right of non-Muslims to drink.

“What is important is that we Muslims have no right to oppose them. It is their right, not ours.

“Pressure groups should follow the rules and not act over the limit,” Tuan Ibrahim told Malaysia Decides when asked about the incident that involved the PAS candidate for Manjoi, Hafez Sabri.

He also said the owners of the outlet should be more aware of the sensitivity of Muslims in the area. Manjoi has a more that 90% population of Muslims.

“On the other hand, certain supermarkets operating in Muslim areas need to have licenses and permission (to sell alcohol). In this case, they need to apply for permission. Maybe it involves Muslim youths that are buying alcohol,” Tuan Ibrahim said.

Manjoi assemblyman Asmuni Awi agreed that Jabat’s actions had tarnished the image of Islam.

The Amanah Perak chief also said the protest should have been resolved amicably with the management of the store.

“They have given a bad impression of Muslims because they launched an aggressive raid when they could have just given advice instead.

“We need to remember that the shop has a license, it’s just that they may not have been sensitive,” Asmuni said when contacted.

The Manjoi rep said that objections to the store’s sale of beer came from a village elder in the area who wrote a protest letter against the outlet. But the man did not know of Jabat’s actions, Asmuni added.

In the video that went viral, a group of 10 men including Hafez were seen supervising shop workers as they cleared out a refrigerator of beer. The group then lodged a police report at the Manjoi station.

The group also was seen warning any other outlets from selling alcohol in Muslim areas.

Tuan Ibrahim said PAS will be questioning Hafez about his involvement.

Meanwhile, Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu reminded pressure groups to not act on their own and go through proper channels when raising objections. – May 27, 2018.