KUALA LUMPUR – Timah whiskey did not face any public or government opposition when it was registered in 2019, but only came into the spotlight after certain parties politicised the issue, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
This was the admission made by Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid when responding to questions raised by lawmakers today.
He added that the whiskey brand was registered for trademark with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) a few years ago, following which its application was displayed in the public sphere for two months.
“However, there was no objection made to the name then. This means that, by law, the name is valid. However, there was a bit of havoc and concern recently, and I agree that certain people are taking advantage.
“I agree that the issue was sensationalised for political interest. I hope Malaysians will be more mature and responsible in the future, and not take advantage of such issues.”
However, Rosol stopped short of mentioning any names purporting to the parties he said were involved in politicising the matter.
Timah recently courted controversy after several PAS leaders slammed the naming of the liquor, saying it is confusing to Muslims as it bears the short form of the Malay name Fatimah, which is also the name of Prophet Muhammad’s daughter.
The whiskey maker has clarified that Timah actually means “tin”, which harkens to the tin-mining era during British colonial times.
Earlier today, the ministry issued a statement saying the producer of Timah, Winepak Corporation Sdn Bhd, has agreed to discuss renaming its drink, following a meeting held yesterday.
In the Dewan Rakyat today, Rosol said this development is good news for all parties involved and shows the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia being adopted, including by the whiskey maker.
However, several MPs from both sides of the divide were quick to slam the government for interfering in the matter.
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar-Independent) questioned if other products that resemble the name of a person would similarly be asked to rebrand, including the popular Daim chocolate.
Datuk Xavier Jayakumar (Kuala Langat-Independent) asked if this will set a precedent for future products, where their names will also be forced to be changed due to the dissatisfaction of certain quarters.
Teresa Kok (Seputeh-PH), meanwhile, sought clarification from the minister on whether all drink makers will in the future have to get approval from the government before they can be distributed.
Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (Pengerang-BN) said rather than interfering on the Timah issue, the government should better educate the public to think “more logically” on such issues.
“From little, I have always eaten A&W’s hotdogs and coney dogs. My child loves eating hotdogs. Don’t tell me I can’t eat them because they are anjing panas (hot dogs).”
Rosol said he agreed with all the views shared by the MPs and hopes the Timah controversy will not set a precedent for the future.
“We don’t want a situation where, after this, root beer becomes an issue, for example. This will never end.” – The Vibes, October 28, 2021
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