Anwar supports the ban on sale of beer at golf club

(FMT) – PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has defended Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun over a ban on the sale of beer at the Seremban International Golf Club, saying it is the president’s right as a Muslim who does not want to be associated with alcohol.

“If non-Muslims want to drink beer, that is their right. Never have we tried to curtail or deny them their right to drink.

“But for him (Aminuddin) as president, that is something he does not want,” Anwar told a mostly Malay crowd of about 400 people at a ceramah in Kampung Felda Sendayan here last night.

Since 1991, the menteri besar and state secretary have automatically been elected as president and deputy president of the golf club. The state owns the 18-hole golf course, but not the clubhouse.

The club had served beer up until last August. However, a ban was implemented after Aminuddin took office. Members said the decision was made unilaterally and against the club’s constitution.

Former menteri besar Mohamad Hasan, who is vying for the Rantau state seat, recently criticised Aminuddin over the move, saying he should be sensitive to non-Muslims.

Anwar said Mohamad was “tolerant” as he was on good terms with PAS.

“So (to use) money from beer (sales) is fine.”

He also claimed Mohamad had allowed the sale of beer so that he could say he was “taking care of the Indians”.

“So I told the Chinese, Indians and Malays that if you want to drink, we have no problem. It is your right.

“The menteri besar also said you can drink, but ‘please allow me to have my freedom to respect my religion’.”

Aminuddin previously said the sale of beer did not take into account local sensitivities as the club was surrounded by mosques and housing estates where the majority of the residents are Muslims.

He announced his intention to resign after members voted to restore the sale of beer, but whether he can do so is unclear as he can only stop being president if he is no longer menteri besar.