Wan Saiful: Religion aside, getting 'drunk' in public wrong

Getting “drunk” in public is still wrong, no matter what race or religion a person belongs to, a Perikatan Nasional leader said.

In stating so, Bersatu supreme council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan “rejected” Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing’s justification of his conduct at a recent event.

“This is not a question of religion. It is about one’s morality as a leader.

“Even if a minister is an atheist, it is still bad if he gets ‘drunk’ in public, as it does not suit the trust endowed upon him as a minister,” Wan Saiful (above) said on social media today.

He was responding to Tiong’s censure of Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah), after the latter sarcastically asked if dancing and drinking in public was Tiong’s unique way of promoting Malaysia to attract tourists.

“I am not Muslim, what is wrong with me drinking? 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?” Tiong said during the winding-up session for the Budget 2024 debate at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Elaborating, Wan Saiful asked whether Tiong would accept if a non-Muslim civil servant or chief secretary to a ministry be spotted drunk in public.

“To me, Tiong using the excuse of being a non-Muslim shows that he deliberately wants to mock Islam as a political tool for his own benefit.

“A minister who uses religion does not deserve the position. He’s not only incompetent in performing his duty, but he also does not have leadership qualities,” the Bersatu member added.

Tiong stands firm

Meanwhile, Tiong reiterated his stance in a statement today, stressing the country’s diversity.

“I understand that if I’m a Muslim, I have to follow the religion’s teachings and guidance.

“But I’m not a Muslim, so I feel that my conduct should not be criticised. I can drink, dance, and do other things allowed by the law, but I cannot marry four wives.

“Others may be prohibited from drinking alcohol, but they can marry more than one woman,” he said.

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