GEORGE TOWN – The Malaysia Shopping Malls Association sees the recent incident of a PAS politician advising a mall in Penang to refrain from openly selling beers as just a political gimmick.
“The politician concerned (Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan) has made his point, and the malls should note his concerns,” said association adviser Richard Chan.
“There is nothing major. I think the exhibition is still continuing,” he told The Vibes, referring to a Lunar New Year promotion by a beer brand at the Sunway Carnival Mall management, which Fawwaz has posted about on TikTok.
Chan, the director of the consulting firm RCMC Sdn Bhd, said he viewed the incident as that of a politician seeking mileage for his cause.
“I think it is just a gimmick. I do not want to say much. We are inclined to think it is just politics. All malls respect the beliefs and feelings of all races.”
He said shopping malls in the country operate in accordance with Malaysia’s diverse and multi-ethnic composition, with mutual respect for all customers.
Even malls in neighbourhoods with more than 80% Chinese residents would take the trouble to put up Deepavali decorations during the season as a way to mark the festival and join in the celebration, he said.
A spokesman from Sunway Carnival Mall, meanwhile, told The Vibes that some minor adjustments were made to the beer display in terms of decorations following the management’s discussion with Fawwaz, but other than that, the exhibition has continued as normal.
Fawwaz, who is also Penang PAS Youth head, posted a video on his TikTok account recently of his visit to the 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 as well as DAP elected representatives Heng Lee Lee and Daniel Gooi, who lambasted Fawwaz for overstepping his authority as a lawmaker.
Social media users 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.
Fawwaz pulled off a major upset in the 15th general election last November when he defeated incumbent Nurul Izzah Anwar in Permatang Pauh, which was considered a PKR stronghold.
He could not be reached for comment over his TikTok clip. – The Vibes, January 13, 2023
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