Give all racial and religious bigots the boot in GE16

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Give all racial and religious bigots the boot in GE16

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11, 2024: While the Taliban-like PAS is fuelling racial and religious bigotry to the political detriment of the racist Perikatan Nasional (PN) led by Muhyiddin “I Am Malay First” Yassin, there are also others in the Madani Unity Government (UG) doing the same.

Both sides of the political divide have their bigots with Umno being the biggest culprit. And, now, the seemingly sane Amanah also has such bigots proposing for convenience stores to sell alcohol through vending machines to avoid Muslim workers from handling the beverage.

 

Not only is that stupid, it will even add more social problems - children, youths and Muslims can buy alcohol easily!

And, No News Is Bad News had been refraining to pen on the stupid and idiotic Umno Youth Chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh for his relentless attacks on the listing of Bak Kut Teh as a national heritage food.

There is no point in talking or debating with stupid and idiotic racial and religious bigots like Akmal. They have pea brains that are unable to understand facts and reality.

How many times have Tourism Minister Tiong King Sing clarified that Bak Kut Teh is Hokkien (Chinese dialect) for “Meat Bone Tea” … any meat, not only pork.

For example, if you put chicken into the herbal soup, it is Chi Kut Teh.

 

And, unsurprisingly the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) has supported the bigots’ call for extremism, ignoring the Johor Sultan now the 17^th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar’s advice to Muslims (see above image).

Well, Jakim is allocated more than a billion yearly in the national budget. It can freeky use all the fund to buy vending machines for alcohol, recruit Muslims in halal-businesses, including those in the banking and hospitality sectors.

That would surely help ease their socio-economic woes and concerns.

Meanwhile, there appears to be no alternative for Malaysians to replace the UG as Anwar Ibrahim is also doing nothing about putting a stop to racial and religious bigots who are shattering national unity and harmony with their daily bigotry. Forget its 3R (Race, Religion Royalty) propaganda.

 

The best option for Malaysians who treasure national unity and harmony in multi-racist Malaysia is to start taking notes to blacklist the bigots and to reject them in the next general election (GE16) irrespective of party on boths sides of the political divide.

That appears to be the only solution for multi-racial Malaysians who want socio-economic progress healthily for all and country which is now saddled with more than a RM1.5 trillion national debt.

To the bigots, solving the national debt is not important, Bak Kut Teh and alcoholic drinks are crucial to the public and country.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below news reports related to the time-wasting issues and the above video clips:

MALAYSIA

Steer clear of religious sensitivities, says Abang Jo

Sarawak premier urges the people to unite for a progressive future.

Updated 3 hours ago · Published on 21 Dec 2023 7:15AM

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg says the state emphasises social inclusivity based on justice for all, regardless of ethnic and religious backgrounds. – The Vibes file pic, December 21, 2023.

SARAWAK Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg yesterday called on the people to steer clear of religious sensitivities, have mutual respect for one another and work together to secure a peaceful and progressive future. 

He said the Sarawak government emphasises social inclusivity based on justice for all, regardless of ethnic and religious backgrounds.

“In our effort (state government) to improve the people’s quality of life by providing a balanced income, spiritual development also needs consideration.

“All religions teach their followers righteousness and good values such as integrity, discipline, loyalty and peace. We (Sarawak) know what we are doing based on logical thinking, history and friendship.

“And that is why we have good political relations and are able to cooperate well in one team regardless of religious background, to protect Sarawak’s rights,” he said at an appreciation dinner for the state’s Unit For Other Religions (Unifor) in Kuching last night.

At the event, Abang Johari also announced an allocation of RM110 million to Unifor for the development of places of worship in the state next year.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said a total of 2,453 places of worship with 1,771,586 members had been registered in the state.

He said since 2017, the state government had approved and allocated an  accumulated sum of RM313.16 million to churches, temples and houses of worship for other faiths.

“Unifor is not only assisting the houses of worship, it also extends its assistance to mission schools.

“There are 127 mission schools in the state. From 2021 to 2023, a sum of RM50 million had been allocated to these schools,” he said. 

Uggah said Abang Johari’s efforts were not merely rhetoric but a clear manifestation of carrying out his responsibilities. – Bernama, December 21, 2023. 

Zaid blasts MP’s proposal for alcohol sales via vending machines

FMT Reporters-07 Mar 2024, 06:16 PM

Pulai MP Suhaizan Kaiat earlier made the proposal to help Muslim workers at convenience stores avoid handling alcoholic drinks.

Former Kota Bharu MP Zaid Ibrahim said the finance ministry would need to employ more non-Muslims quickly as many business and commercial activities in the country are not the halal-type.

PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has slammed Pulai MP Suhaizan Kaiat’s proposal for convenience stores to sell alcohol through vending machines to avoid Muslim workers from handling the beverage.

Zaid said that “according to many Muslims”, they are not allowed to consume alcoholic beverages and not even allowed to “touch the bottle”.

The former Kota Bharu MP said if that was the case then, in the same vein, no Malay drivers should be allowed to drive any vehicles carrying beer bottles.

“No Malay customs officers should also be allowed to inspect beer consignments and impose duties.

“Lastly, the finance ministry would need to employ more non-Muslims quickly as many business and commercial activities in the country are not the halal-type,” he said in a post on X.

Earlier, Suhaizan asked deputy religious affairs minister Zulkifli Hasan in the Dewan Rakyat if the federal government could find a way to help Muslims working at convenience stores avoid handling alcoholic beverages.

“For example, we could discuss with the municipal or city council to create guidelines for the sale of alcoholic beverages via vending machines. Hence, they (Muslim workers) don’t have to directly sell alcoholic beverages,” said Suhaizan.

Zaid cited an example of a well-known Muslim preacher advising a Muslim architect to disobey the instructions of his boss to sketch and draw a plan for a temple, failing which he should look for another job.

“Looking for a job is hard, but it’s more problematic for a Muslim who follows the preacher’s guide,” said Zaid.

He also referred to a recommendation by Federal Territories mufti Luqman Abdullah for Muslim employees at conventional banks to move to jobs that are considered “halal”.

Luqman said that even though there may be difficulty finding employment, Muslims should make every effort to avoid and leave “haram places of work”.

Penang mufti Wan Salim Wan Noor responded to Luqman by saying that Muslims may work in conventional banks in times of emergency or when there is a lack of alternative employment.

He said this shows Islamic law is flexible and always takes into account the changeable nature of life.

Zaid said the government should introduce an agenda on “the debilitating influence of preachers on the economic advancement of the Malays” for the Conference of Ruler’s deliberation, “since we have thousands of preachers giving advice freely on matters of religion” with far-reaching economic consequences.

MALAYSIA

Lawyers bash idea to have alcohol sold by special vending machines in stores

Proposal by Amanah MP described as a case of misplaced priorities, impractical.

Updated 10 hours ago · Published on 10 Mar 2024 7:45PM

Two senior lawyers, including a former de facto law minister, have questioned the rationale behind a proposal for 24-hour convenience outlets to facilitate sale of alcoholic drinks only through special vending machines. – Pixabay pic, March 10, 2024.

BY Ian McIntyre

TWO senior lawyers, including a former de facto law minister, have questioned the rationale behind a proposal for 24-hour convenience outlets to facilitate sale of alcoholic drinks only through special vending machines.

S. Raveentharan, a former PKR deputy secretary-general, said elected representatives should be censured in the house if they go off tangent when debating in parliament.

Leaders are elected to represent the majority of their electorate.

“Before they speak, they should conduct their own polls to determine what the people want them to dwell on instead of speaking in the wrong direction,” he said.

He was referring to Pulai MP Suhaizan Kaiat’s proposal in the Dewan Rakyat for the vending machines to be installed in convenience stores for alcoholic drinks so that Muslim attendants do not need to handle them.

Raveentharan expressed frustration at how politicians are lost in translation when serving in the august House.

He said that politicians should focus on what counts at present, which is an integrated effort to lift the country out of the economic doldrums it finds itself in.

“From the falling ringgit to intense inflation and climate change, besides the surge in traffic congestion along all major roads – these are issues which count to the people.

“We should focus on bread-and-butter issues. The people are demanding for it,” he said.

He also said that the non-Muslims respect the rights of Muslims, especially the sensitivities over handling non-halal products.

In many instances, the non-Muslim customer would rather hold the alcoholic drink bottle or can themselves and the cashier just has to scan the barcode on the item to register the price.

Or they can wear gloves to handle material deemed offensive to Islam.

“There may not be any unnecessary touching of a non-halal product if they desire,” he said, stressing that the non-Muslim customer can hold the item.

He said that the issues raised in parliament should be centred on the declining ringgit and ways to boost the national currency against regional currencies.

Then, there is also a need to consolidate resources to ward off the ill effects of the global uncertainty, he added.

Meanwhile, former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim described Suhaizan’s proposal is simply a “misadventure” and impractical in the age of fast-moving consumer items.

If this were to happen, said Zaid, a former Kota Baru MP, no Muslim driver should be allowed to handle non-halal products, while the same should apply to those serving alcohol on board airliners to non-Muslim passengers who order such beverages.

“No Muslim customs officers should also be allowed to inspect beer consignments and impose duties,” Zaid said in a social media post.

Issue of flight attendants

Suhaizan, an Amanah lawmaker, had made the call when taking part in a debate in parliament.

He had asked Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Zulkifli Hasan in the Dewan Rakyat if the federal government could find a way to help Muslims working at convenience stores to avoid handling alcoholic beverages.

“For example, we could discuss with the local authorities to create guidelines for the sale of alcoholic beverages via vending machines,” he said.

“Hence, they (Muslim workers) don’t have to directly sell alcoholic beverages.”

Zulkifli qualified the proposal as something worth exploring.

Meanwhile, National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) called on the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) to look into the issue of Muslim aviation workers handling alcoholic drinks.

In a statement, its secretariat claimed that this has been one of the major concerns of cabin crews for the past few decades but has not been addressed until today.

“Perhaps a new policy needs to be undertaken to find a way to deal with Muslim workers in handling alcohol because it is part of their job.

“Previously, an employee was reprimanded for refusing to serve the drinks to customers,” the Nufam secretariat said.

It added that banning the consumption of alcohol during flights has several positive effects as it can prevent medical complications for passengers who may put themselves at risk from excessive consumption of intoxicating drinks during flights.

“This is because we have seen many cases involving air rage and cases of sexual harassment during flights involving drunken passengers,” added Nufam. – The Vibes, March 10, 2024

Tiong hits back at Umno youth chief: Bak Kut Teh isn't limited to pork

By Mohammad Khairil Ashraf Mohd Khalid - March 1, 2024 @ 8:46am

Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has rebuked Umno Youth Chief Dr. Muhamad Akmal Saleh, cautioning him against adopting an oppositional or extremist stance. - NSTP file pic

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has rebuked Umno Youth Chief Dr. Muhamad Akmal Saleh, cautioning him against adopting an oppositional or extremist stance.

This came after Dr Akmal, who is also Melaka State Executive Councillor for Rural Development, Agriculture, and Food Security, raised an issue regarding bak kut teh.

"Regarding bak kut teh, 'bak' refers to meat. I have emphasised several times that the herbs used are halal. The type of meat used can vary.

"You can add chicken, and then it becomes 'chicken kut teh'. If you add seafood, it becomes 'seafood kut teh'. If you add lamb, it becomes 'lamb kut teh'.

"Dr Akmal often mentions 'pork bak kut teh'. However, 'bak' refers to meat in general, not just pork. I suggest Dr Akmal refer to a dictionary if unsure of its definition," he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

Tiong said this in response to Dr Akmal's demand for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to dismiss the tourism minister following several issues involving him.

Dr Akmal was quoted as saying that the issues include bak kut teh being included in the national heritage food list and the demotion of tourism director-general Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar to deputy director-general.

As a leader belonging to the new generation, Tiong said Dr Akmal should evaluate and analyse facts before speaking to the public.

He said, as Malaysian citizens, everyone should respect each other and be more cautious before making statements, considering their impact on national unity and peace.

However, Tiong said issues like this have been played out repeatedly, seemingly only to fulfill personal political interests.

Tiong added that he would not force anyone to violate their religious regulations or practices through heritage food recognition.

"In Motac (the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture), there are also many leaders and staff of Islamic faith, so of course, I deeply understand and respect all parties.

"We should all respect and promote our national heritage. If not us, then who else will recognise our heritage? Isn't diversity and multiculturalism what make Malaysia unique?" he said.

 make Malaysia unique?" he said.