Liquor Sale in Selangor : A Test To PAS Political Ideology..

YB Dato.Dr Hassan Ali and YB Ronnie Lui - friend of foe?

For some people, the alcoholic drinks issue in Selangor might be over when MB Dato' Khalid Ibrahim decided there will be no restriction sale in Shah Alam. But for Dr Hassan Ali, state PAS chief commissioner, the struggle to fight for Muslims right in Shah Alam to continue as planned.

The spat over beer brewing when Ronnie Liu, State Local Council boss ordered local council officers to return beer seized from a convenience store in a predominant Muslim-neighbourhood in Shah Alam.

Liu's action sparked an outburst from his fellow friend, Dr.Hassan Ali, person who in charge in Islamic Affairs resulting a call to strip Ronnie's post as state executive councillor. However, Dr. Hassan did made a press statement later denying his call against Ronnie.

And the discomfort situation surroundings PR coalition finally find its way out when MB Dato' Khalid Ibrahim decided not to ban and restrict the liquor sale but the beverages cannot be sold to muslims and under age kids. Thats it.Period.

As a muslims, I bear no grudge against Khalid. Considering he is an MB represent multiracial political party like PKR, to implement Islamic agenda wasn't on his top wish list. Morever, DAP is the second highest stake holder in Selangor government so its rational to please your second highest shared-partner rather than the third ones.

Since Umno took over Malaysia from British, they governed the Tanah Melayu as a secular country. Together with the MCA and the MIC, they formed a very formidable coalition that last long until now. Since then, muslims in this country were denied their right to uphold Sharia' as guidance of life.

When PAS were formed in 1951, the Islamist political party positions itself to establish Malaysia as country based on Islamic Legal Theory derived from primary sources of Islam, the Quran and the Sunnah. And educating the public about the dark side of alcoholic drinks were also part of it.

The 'amar makruf nahi mungkar' philosophy carried out by PAS continues when they were gifted 8 seats in Selangor State Assembly. With limited space and power to maneuver, the Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party however did put their best effort to distance Muslims from liquor consumption.

The proposal was so simple. Restrict the sale of alcohol in predominant Muslims neighborhood in Shah Alam. Its Muslims majority area, I just don't understand why the 'other two friends' refused to grant permission for the residents to exercise their religion and beliefs.

In some places in Malaysia where Muslims are the minority, the non-muslims are allowed to enjoy what claimed to be part of their culture and lifestyle. Disco's ,pubs , karaoke outlet are everywhere. You can drink gallon of beer and dance till dawn if want it. Who cares. Though, we never bother and complain about it albeit I believe there were Muslims involved in such immoral activity like that.

The pig abattoir trouble actually did projected the unprofessionalism of Kedah DAP's comrade in dealing with local issue. Soon after the slaughterhouse was destroyed by the local authority, they promptly pulled out from PR government in Kedah without cponsulting their party leaders. Its chairman, Thomas Su accused that the PAS-led Kedah government insensitive the needs of minorities in the state.

Gratefully the Selangor PAS did not react the same way despite being hampered by criticism over the liquor issue and its showed how PAS valued and appreciated the spirit of friendship in Pakatan Rakyat.

When PAS's top leadership agreed to form a coalition comprising DAP and PKR, there were a big hu-ha raging across the country saying that the Islamic Party are set to throw away their political ideology and the struggle for theocratic state will ended just like that. For me it just nothing, but only a poor political analysis especially for those who are on the opposite side.

The Selangor's booze sale controversy is a great example that PAS are yet to concede their political principle and the the pursuit of the implementation of Shariah will go on. And what more important is ,the application of Shariah only effect on Muslims and the for the non-muslims they are free to exercise their religions and belief.

Wallahua'lam.