KUALA LUMPUR – Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar-Independent) lambasted the government over its apparent fixation on the name of Timah whiskey over other more pressing issues.
Debating the Supply Bill (2022) in the Dewan Rakyat, the Muda founder noted how matters concerning good governance are frequently overlooked, including the recent revelation of leakages in the 2020 Auditor-General’s Report.
Syed Saddiq also bemoaned the fact that issues concerning the delivery of government projects are rarely debated in the august House, while the trivial controversy of Timah seems to have piqued interest.
“Is it true the cabinet discussed the issue of Timah, and decided in its meeting on the name change?
“There were three ministers who had discussed specifically on a company that has existed for years,” he said in Parliament today.
“Is the same focus and criticism given to the issue surrounding hundreds of millions of ringgit (in leakages) of people’s money? None. (Everyone’s) quiet in Dewan.
“But when it involves Timah, it is as though it is the biggest issue in the country.”
Syed Saddiq also slammed Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man for getting similarly involved in the whiskey issue, while failing to properly carry out his own duties as minister.
“What kind of message are we sending here? The issue of a company’s name is more important than the issues of wastage, leakages, jobs and education.
“So much time and effort has gone towards cosmetic issues, but those truly important to the rakyat are not given attention,” he said.
The locally produced Timah whiskey recently shot to fame after winning multiple international awards last year before it was officially launched to the public on October 7.
Since then, various quarters have slammed the name of the liquor, saying it is confusing to the Muslims as it bears the short form of the Malay name Fatimah, while some accused it of resembling the name of Prophet Muhammad’s daughter, Saidatina Fatimah az-Zahrah.
The whiskey maker has clarified that the name Timah actually means “tin”, which harkens to the tin mining era of British colonial times.
However, the drink maker has since agreed to the government’s request for the beverage to change its name, following a meeting between several ministers and company representatives. – The Vibes, November 1, 2021
