Certain media have erroneously reported on the beer issue that Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan recently suggested PAS Youth have no locus standi (legal standing) in proposing guidelines on the sale of beer in Pakatan Rakyat-ruled states.

According to Azizan's political secretary Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor in his blog entry today, a reporter from a Chinese newspaper had asked the menteri besar at a press conference, instead of the guidelines proposed by PAS Youth, about a 'circular'.

"I was next to Azizan when this reporter asked him about the circular. He (Azizan) was merely answering the reporter's question.

"When the circular term was used by the reporter for which he meant to refer to it as a proposal, this prompted the menteri besar to question the PAS Youth's action in coming out with a circular", Muhammad Sani added.

penang kedah timber logging azizan abdul razak 310708 01 In the report, Azizan (left) was quoted as saying that PAS Youth have no locus standi to issue any circular to the state government, adding that it was under the purview of the ministry's secretary-general, public services department and state secretary.

"So there was no issue of PAS Youth having locus standi on the raised matter in the first place", he said.

PAS Youth had two days ago prepared a paper outlining the guidelines on the sale of beer in Pakatan states.

However, the paper to be ready only by year end, would not propose a total ban on the sales of beer as non-Muslims have a right to enjoy it.

Yesterday, many mainstream newspapers including Malay-daily Utusan Malaysia quoted Azizan as saying that PAS Youth "have no rights" to interfere in the state government's affairs

with regards to selling beer.

According to the report, Azizan explained that even Kedah has its own laws forbidding Muslims from drinking alcohol and that these beverages are only sold in licensed stores.

MB ready to meet PAS Youth

Despite the ‘hot issue' pertaining to the sales of beer, the menteri besar is ready to meet PAS Youth to discuss any suggestions as long as it is beneficial for all Muslims, explained Muhammad Sanusi.

"We hope the discussion will be fruitful for all of us so that the state government could save the people from the sins and repercussions as a result of beer consumption", he added.

Muhammad Sanusi also said that the Kedah government will not take the beer issue lightly and it welcomes any proposal to improve the guidelines that it already has. This includes issuing limited licenses to premises.

"The state government is also not keeping quiet in allowing alcohol consumption to Muslims resulting in ill effects to society, and whatever efforts we have come up with will not be publicised through the media", he added.

Muhammad Sanusi further added that "any proposal to have these changes to the existing policy have to be strong so that it could be implemented and defended in the future".