In Defence of Common Sense in Governance and the Minister of Tourism

Harapandaily

BY: HOWARD LEE CHUAN HOW

As a Member of Parliament, an Executive Board Member of Invest Perak, and someone with over two decades of experience in the food, beverage, and hospitality industry, I feel compelled to speak up amidst the recent controversy surrounding the Global Travel Meet gala dinner.

  1. The Facts Must Be Clear

The allegation that alcoholic drinks were served at a government-organised event — causing Muslim guests to leave early — is factually wrong and deeply misleading.

The gala dinner was not a government event. It was privately organised and fully funded by players in the tourism industry, in conjunction with the highly successful Global Travel Meet that generated RM420 million in business impact for Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia’s role was limited to coordinating cultural performances and launching the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) calendar — not organising, paying for, or managing the food and beverage.

  1. Fiscal Responsibility Comes First

Let me be clear: I too disagree with serving alcohol at government-funded events — not from a religious standpoint, but from one of fiscal responsibility and professional ethics.
Public funds must be spent prudently. Taxpayers’ money should never be used to pay for intoxicating food and beverages.

This principle is not unique to Malaysia. It is standard practice in many advanced nations — including the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Japan, and Canada — where alcohol purchases are strictly prohibited in government-funded functions.

In this instance, however, the Minister made the right call by allowing private industry partners to take over the hosting costs. It was a cost-saving decision, ensuring government expenditure remained focused on economic outcomes — not hospitality overheads.

  1. Freedom Within Diversity

Malaysia’s beauty lies in her diversity. While Islam is the religion of the Federation, the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and culture for all. For non-Muslims, moderate and responsible consumption of alcohol is a personal liberty, not a crime.

As long as no laws are broken — such as driving under the influence — it is not the role of any individual or association to police or dictate personal choices. The right to one’s beliefs must never become the right to control another’s way of life.

  1. The Role of the Civil Service

Malaysia’s civil service is proudly multiracial and multireligious. That diversity must be celebrated and protected.
While Muslim officers have every right to maintain their religious principles, no one — including CUEPACS — has the authority to impose restrictions upon non-Muslim civil servants in their private or social conduct.

Our civil service must be guided by professionalism, not prejudice; by mutual respect, not moral policing.

  1. Focus on Economic Substance, Not Political Sensationalism

As someone who has spent 20 years in the hospitality trade, I can confidently say that networking dinners and business-matching events like this are the beating heart of economic progress.

They create trust, attract investment, and generate trade. When industry players host such events at their own expense — and achieve hundreds of millions in business value — that should be celebrated, not criticised.

The question should not be “was alcohol served?” but rather “did the event produce results for the Malaysian economy?”
And by every measure, this one did.

  1. Tourism Is About Culture, Not Alcohol

Let’s not forget what truly draws the world to Malaysia.

It is not alcohol — it is our nature, our heritage, our food, and our diversity.

From Perak’s limestone caves and Penang’s UNESCO streets to Sabah’s islands and Sarawak’s rainforests — Malaysia’s tourism is built on soul, not spirits.

To reduce our tourism success to a debate about alcohol is to misunderstand our industry and to insult the many Malaysians working tirelessly to uphold its global reputation.

  1. A Call for Maturity

We must not allow misinformation or populism to undermine confidence in Malaysia’s tourism leadership.

The Minister acted prudently, the industry acted responsibly, and the results speak for themselves.

Instead of politicising good governance, we should recognise when government and industry work hand in hand to save money, create value, and promote Malaysia’s image internationally.

Let’s be mature enough to distinguish between moral panic and moral principle, between political noise and economic wisdom.

HOWARD LEE of the DAP is Ipoh Timor MP