KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — Malaysian airlines should follow the example of their Brunei counterpart by making air hostesses dress according to Muslim norms and ban alcohol on board, controversial writer Ridhuan Tee Abdullah said after citing the “lessons” on MH370 and MH17.

Criticising Malaysia for its fear of imposing Islamic codes here, the senior lecturer of the National Defence University said authorities should follow the Sultan of Brunei’s lead in pushing such rules without regard to local sentiments or concerns about human rights that will be raised.

Tee also said it was not necessary to serve alcohol on local flights as tourists are already drowned in spirits in their home countries, saying that he feared it was local travellers who are more likely to consume such drinks on the flights.

“What’s more, our alcohol is not as good as theirs. The drinks we serve are also brands from their countries,” he said in his column carried by news portal Sinar Harian today.

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It is unclear how he determined the comparative quality of the alcohol served by local airlines.

To support his call, Tee said that his recent flight with Royal Brunei Airlines in which Muslim prayers were recited before take-off and whose air hostesses were dressed according to Islamic code was a pleasant experience and full of foreign passengers.

“Unfortunately we have not moved to implement even matters as small as customs on airlines. Are the lessons of MH17 and MH370 not yet enough?” he asked.

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“As such, my advice is, before Allah’s wrath strikes, to begin implementing these noble religious values. Heed not those who do not wish to enter heaven. They are sponsored by the West to destroy Muslims in our country.”

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH17 crashed over eastern Ukraine on July 17, killing all 298 people on board. It was believed to have been shot down.

Flight MH370 went missing on March 8 and remains so along with the 239 people who were on that flight.