KUALA LUMPUR – The saga involving the controversial Timah whiskey has been resolved as the government has decided to allow the whiskey distillery to maintain its brand name.
Following Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong’s post in Mandarin on his Facebook page today, he said the issues concerning Timah were heavily politicised by the opposition who contended that the name was offensive to Muslims as it may refer to a nickname for women named Fatimah.
Further, he said that the cabinet has deliberated on the issue, and in the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia, reached its conclusion.
The MCA lawmaker mentioned that Timah will not need to change its brand name, given that the manufacturer has explained the origin behind the name, which refers to tin.
It was also stated by the transport minister, that he held a meeting with the whisky company’s directors to understand the incident better.
Previously, on October 19, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Idris Ahmad branded the Timah whiskey as provocative, urging the manufacturer to pick another name to avoid confusion among Muslims.
In an attempt to clarify the matter, the manufacturer explained on Facebook that the name Timah refers to tin, drawing inspiration from the tin mining era during British Malaya.
Further, the manufacturer mentioned, interpreting the name in a way which does not draw to relation to tin is false, and the product is meant to be enjoyed by non-Muslims above the legal alcohol purchasing age. – The Vibes, November 13, 2021
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