Khir Toyo: Follow BN’s lead when dealing with beer issue
Khir says don’t sell beer in Muslim-majority areas. — File pic
SHAH ALAM, Aug 5 — Selangor opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohamad Khir Toyo has a solution to the beer controversy brewing in the state: follow Barisan Nasional's (BN) lead.
The former Selangor mentri besar told The Malaysian Insider there should be some form of compromise when dealing with the problem.
“I am not suggesting that the sale of alcohol be banned everywhere. Alcohol can be sold, just not in areas where there is a Muslim majority,” said Khir.
He said when Selangor was under BN, beer was not sold in areas like Shah Alam and Bangi because of the large number of Muslims living in those areas.
Does that mean the former mentri besar agrees with PAS, particularly Datuk Hassan Ali, on the matter?
“Barisan has never had a problem like this in the past. If they (DAP) can respect Hindu rights, why not Muslim rights?” he replied.
There are currently no official by-laws which prohibit the sale of beer to the public with the exception of Muslims and minors. The problem first came to light when the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) seized beer worth about RM620 from a 7-Eleven outlet in Shah Alam. In retaliation, Selangor state executive councillor Ronnie Liu ordered local council officers to return the seized beer.
Liu’s action in turn sparked an angry reaction from PAS state chief Hassan who demanded that Liu be stripped of his local council portfolio.
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