KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 — Seeking to protect the sanctity of Islam, three PAS federal lawmakers called on state governments today to follow Malacca’s lead and ban the sale of alcohol from convenience stores in Muslim-majority areas.
According to the MPs, the ban will help “free” Muslims from being involved in work prohibited by their religion.
“We urge for alcohol-related state government policies to be standardised nationwide. Furthermore, every effort to free Muslims from the alcohol industry must be supported,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.
The three PAS MPs are Temerloh MP Nasruddin Hassan, Kuala Nerus MP Datuk Dr Khairuddin Aman Razali and Pasir Mas MP Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz.
Muslims are forbidden from using money obtained through prohibited practices, including the sale of alcohol.
On January 28, Malacca said it will review its approval for the sale of alcohol in 76 convenience stores in the state based on the composition of the neighbourhood they are located in.
Malay daily Berita Harian reported Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron as saying that store owners must immediately stop selling alcohol — deemed as haram, or prohibited in Islam — if Muslims make up more than 90 per cent of the local community.
Muslims make up 61.3 per cent of the Malaysian population, followed by Buddhists at 19.8 per cent, and Christians at 9.2 per cent, according to the latest census data from 2010.
