Gerakan seeks to meet anti-beer PAS MP who rebuked mall

GEORGE TOWN – Gerakan will seek a meeting with its Perikatan Nasional (PN) colleague, Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan, over his “moral policing” antics in telling the management of a shopping mall not to promote and openly sell alcohol.

Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong also called for calm from political rivals over the matter, which saw the PN coalition criticised for not censuring the PAS politician.

Oh said the likes of DAP and Warisan should stay calm and not overreact.

“It shows they are trying to politicise the issue,” Oh told The Vibes.

“Personally, I feel that Fawwaz may have dramatised the event as he decided to depict it in a TikTok video. And his service team members were also in tow,” Oh added.

He said Fawwaz may have had good intentions but using TikTok to get his message across may not have been “politically right”.

Fawwaz, who is also Penang PAS Youth head, posted a video on his TikTok account showing his visit to the Sunway Carnival Mall in Seberang Jaya where he told staff that the sale of liquor should not be promoted openly. The video showed him near a beer display set up in conjunction with Chinese New Year, and also talking with mall staff.

The incident drew criticism from Penang Warisan chairman Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun as well as DAP elected representatives Heng Lee Lee and Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, who lambasted Fawwaz for overstepping his authority as a lawmaker.

Penang DAP committee member Zairil Khir Johari urged Gerakan to state its stand on Fawwaz’s actions since the party (Gerakan) is part of the PN coalition, which also consists of PAS and Bersatu.

Social media users also criticised Fawwaz, saying he should focus on economic growth instead of harping on morality issues.

Others said commercial premises are permitted to sell liquor if they follow the rules, and that the sale of alcohol is regulated by the customs department and local councils, and did not need moral policing.

Oh tried to explain Fawwaz’s motives, suggesting the PAS man had used the upcoming Lunar New Year festival to promote his message.

“The premise was selling something for the Lunar New Year and such celebrations are often associated with alcohol. If it is during Ramadan, perhaps it may not be suitable. So, I think Fawwaz may just want (to draw) attention.”

Fawwaz pulled off a major upset in the 15th general election last November when he defeated the incumbent MP Nurul Izzah Anwar in Permatang Pauh, which was considered a PKR stronghold.

The Vibes is trying to reach out to the Seberang Prai City Council and Fawwaz over his TikTok video. – The Vibes, January 11, 2023