Selangor exco member for Local Government, New Village Development and Legalising of Factories Ean Yong Hian Wah should issue a public apology and resign from his position over the Petaling District Licensing Council’s decision to ban the sale of alcohol in traditional medicine shops and its threat to revoke the licences of those who do not comply.

Ean Yong’s claim that he is unaware of such a ruling only fuels speculations on ‘little Napoleons’ in Selangor’s local government councils. This is also not the first time Ean Yong has been caught unawares and needs the media to wake him up. This proves that Selangor DAP lacks any real power and is unable to take on leadership roles.

It must be noted that senior officials of the Petaling District Licensing Council had unanimously supported the alcohol ban in 2014, and that the ban was to come into immediate effect after its meeting on Jan 21, 2015. Thus, Ean Yong’s claim of ignorance on this ruling is proof that he lacks the proper authority to perform his responsibility.

However, it is still baffling as to why Ean Yong did not order the ruling to be retracted even after the issue was exposed, especially when he and the state government hold the final say on this issue. His refusal to act on the ban made by ‘little Napoleons’ in the local government has hurt the interest of the non-Muslim community.

The first time Ean Yong had claimed ignorance over controversial bans was when the ‘Thirst 2015: We Are All Stardust’ concert was cancelled at the last minute. At that time he had even dared to blame the police without checking the facts, and when it was later revealed that it was Seri Serdang PAS assemblyperson Noor Hanim Ismail who had opposed to the concert, Ean Yong had attempted to divert the blame again.

Ever since Pakatan took over the Selangor state government, there has been a rising increase of religious extremism which are detrimental to non-Muslims’ rights. This includes the seizure of Malay Bibles, the protest against a church in Taman Medan, and now the alcohol ban slapped on traditional medicine shops. All of these come under the responsibility of Ean Yong, who has clearly shirked his responsibility as a state exco.

NG CHOK SIN is Selangor MCA state liaison committee secretary, MCA religious harmony bureay deputy chairperson and MCA central committee member.