PARLIAMENT | Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing this afternoon censured an opposition MP for making an issue of him consuming alcoholic beverages.

He said MPs should focus on helping the country develop its economy instead of raising issues that can disturb peace and harmony.

He also asked Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) whether it is wrong for a non-Muslim to drink since they are not prohibited from doing so.

“As MPs, we should work hard to find opportunities to develop our nation’s economy instead of making issues out of nothing.

“For example, Masjid Tanah raised an issue about me getting drunk, that I drank alcohol. I am not Muslim, what is wrong with me drinking?” he said during the winding-up session for the Budget 2024 debate at the Dewan Rakyat.

“When I went to Pelangai (in Bentong, Pahang), I was invited to participate in a lantern (Mid-Autumn) festival where I drank and acted a bit foolish while playing (lanterns) with kids at the event.

“This was part of Chinese culture. What is wrong with that?” he added.

Two weeks ago, Mas Ermieyati raised the issue of Tiong dancing and drinking in public, sarcastically questioning if it was the minister’s unique way of promoting Malaysia to attract tourists.

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