Ban on Muslims in booze-serving joints: Let common sense prevail, says Liu
Monday, January 17th, 2011 12:13:00
PETALING JAYA: Chairman of the Local Government, Study and Research Committee Ronnie Liu criticised the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) for still refusing to revoke its ban on Muslims working at alcohol-serving premises and said he hoped common sense would prevail.
Responding to MPSJ president Datuk Mohd Adnan Ikhsan's claim it was only a "verbal directive" by Liu to lift the ban, he said: "If they want it in black and white, we will give it to them."
Criticising Adnan's decision as "irresponsible", he said: "First, you need to ask the MPSJ president, did the council consult the State government over their decision?
"How could they decide on people's livelihood without considering the consequences? Which council and State have implemented this ban? Where is the grace period for the implementation? You cannot simply take away people's earnings and expect them to survive overnight."
Liu was hopeful of the outcome of today's between Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and the council presidents, but refused to speculate what decisions would be made.
Khalid had called for the meeting to discuss the issue with with councils and the State excos members, following the MPSJ's decision to ban Muslims from working in alcohol-servingoutlets.
Asked whether the local councils had the right to overrule the State's decision in policy implementation, Khalid said: "This is why we've called for the meeting. This time around, I would sit down with the councils and excos to find the solution."
Khalid said it would be up for discussion today whether other local councils would follow suit on the ban.
The Paper That Cares learnt there was a possibility for the ban implementation to be put on hold for few months, until proper procedures and implementation mechanisms were finalised.
Saying the move would not be enforced immediately, there were other factors that would need to be sorted out before any decision by the Selangor government.
Council will abide by State government decision
BOTH the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ ) and Klang Municipal Council (MPK) have pledged to toe the Selangor government line when asked about the ban on Muslims working at alcoholserving outlets.
PJ Mayor Datuk Roslan Sakiman told The Malay Mail that the council would follow whatever directive of the Selangor government concerning the ban on Muslims from working at alcohol-serving premises.
"We will follow although many Muslim employees would be affected by the decision, since most are used to working at such outlets and many have been working there for years."
Asked if the new ruling was necessary, Roslan said: "It's hard for me to comment. Let's just see what takes place tomorrow (today) at the meeting with Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
"The decision by the local council to ban Muslims from working at alcohol-serving outlets would be clarified by the State then."
Said MPK president Mislan Tigiu: "I'm unaware of the meeting tomorrow (today) but I would attend if I was called. MPK would abide by the State decision."
Pakatan in one mind to reverse ban on Muslims
Ban may bring hardship to Muslims working in booze-serving premises
Monday, January 17th, 2011 12:13:00
PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) members in the Selangor government are closing ranks to ensure the reversal of Subang Jaya Municipal Council's (MPSJ) decision to ban Muslims from working in alcohol-serving premises.
While Selangor PAS chief Datuk Dr Hasan Mohamed Ali came out strongly in support of the MPSJ decision, contrary to the directive by fellow State exco member Ronnie Liu from DAP, it looks like the ban is set to be cancelled.
Downplaying the public spat, Klang MP Charles Santiago (DAP) said Hasan was expressing his personal view.
"The exco decision was unanimous. He was also a part of the exco. He cannot overrule exco decisions."
Santiago said the "rift" was healthy as it showed the PR government was open to differences and signified a healthy democratic practice.
Hasan had commended MPSJ for its stand on Muslims working in alcohol-serving premises, stating such activity contravened Section 18(2) of the Syariah Criminal Enactment of Selangor.
The MPSJ decision was tabled last year as part of the council’s “self-initiated improvements”, meaning businesses that failed to abide by the condition would be subjected to a compound or withdrawal of their licence.
Taman Medan State assemblyman, Hanizah Talha (PAS), believed there was a misunderstanding between Liu and Hasan on the technical aspects in the enforcement of the ban.
The Selangor deputy speaker said: "Differences between Liu and Hassan are irrelevant. What's important is for details of the enforcement plan be disseminated to the public. The main purpose of the Selangor Syariah criminal enactment had 'vanished' due to the highlighted squabble between Liu and Hassan."
On Friday, Hasan, who is also the State exco member in charge of Muslim affairs, Malay customs, infrastructure and public amenities, said rules pertaining to licences for the sale of alcohol had a similar provision banning employment of Muslim workers at such premises.
He also clashed with Liu last year after the announcement mosque officials could arrest Muslims caught drinking alcohol in public places.
Hasan had asked for Liu's removal from the State exco following the confiscation of 70 cans of beer from a retail outlet in Shah Alam by the Shah Alam City Council. The "beerspat" took place during the row over the ban on the sale of beer in Muslim areas in Selangor.
During the weekend, it was reported syariah legal experts supported Hasan's view MPSJ's decision was applicable only to Muslim employees.
International Islamic University Malaysia constitutional law and syariah criminal law lecturer, Dr Shamrahayu A. Aziz, wondered why Liu had insisted on going against the State's syariah laws.
He said MPSJ did the right thing in following Section 18(2) of the Syariah Criminal Enactment of Selangor, a view echoed by Management and Science University law lecturer Raja Nur Alaini Raja Omar.
Criticising Liu for not abiding by the state's syariah laws, this MSU lecturer urged the government to strictly enforce rules related to Muslims in the State.
Meanwhile, Mohd Faizal Mohd Salleh, chairman for the Selangor chapter of Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung, called for Liu's sacking from the State government for being a "traitor to Muslim sensitivities".
Gabungan Anti Penyelewengan Selangor chairman, Hamidzun Khairuddin, said Liu was interfering in matters outside his purview by going against the State's syariah laws.
Malaysian Ulama Association secretary-general, Dr Mohd Roslan Mohd Noor, pointed out that Islam was the official religion under the Federal Constitution and this cannot be disputed even by Liu.
He also scoffed at Liu's reasoning of Muslim workers losing their livelihoods "as such a vocation isn't allowed by the religion in the first place".
Selangor Perkasa chief, Abdullah Mansor, called Liu insolent and said he had no right to interfere in Islamic matters.
Barisan Nasional (BN) felt the public spat was yet another rift in the State PR government.
Selangor sending wrong message, says MEF
PETALING JAYA: The Subang Jaya Municipal Council's (MPSJ) decision to ban Muslims from working at alcohol-serving establishments is a sensitive issue and the Selangor government is sending the wrong message to the world, said Malaysian Employers Federation executive director, Shamsuddin Baradan.
"Both employers and employees would be adversely affected by the decision. Most Muslim staff members aren't involved in alcohol consumption. But then, again everyone is entitled to their own opinion and authority.
"In Malaysia, there are jobs aplenty, but if Muslims are asked to leave their current jobs at liquor outlets, the question is will they get other jobs? There could be legal issues, too.
"It's sad issues like these keep coming up as, previously, there was a raid in which Muslim staff at alcohol-serving outlets were detained."
Shamsuddin said MEF expected to be approached by employers and employees if the ban was not lifted. "The local authority and State government should discuss with people on both sides of the table."
http://www.mmail.com.my/content/60996-jeers-and-cheers
Jeers and cheers
Monday, January 17th, 2011 11:50:00
BAR BAN: Frontera Sol of Mexico will face manpower issues, says its manager — Pic: Amirul Shakir
OPERATORS and staff of outlets which serve liquor have expressed both support for and opposition to the Subang Jaya Municipal Council's (MPSJ) decision to ban Muslims from working in such outlets which may be extended state-wide, The Malay Mail found in a random survey.
Frontera Sol of Mexico restaurant manager, Ramesh Vadiveloo, said such a move would reduce the available workforce.
"I disagree with the ban as it will worsen the manpower situation. From my experience, some of the best bar tenders are Muslims. They are skilled in the job."
Echoing this view was Royal Oak Bar manager who hoped the ban would not be extended to PJ.
"Such a ban will badly hit hotels, pubs and other entertainment outlets depriving many hard-working Muslims of jobs," he said, while requesting not to be named.
However, a supervisor of a pub in PJ, who also preferred anonymity, said the ban would end the issue of Muslims working in the alcohol industry once and for all.
"In the long run, operators of such outlets will no longer have to worry about such matters."
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