MCA Religious Harmony Bureau is alarmed that Surabaya on the island of Java is the second territory in Indonesia after Papua to ban the production, distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages (Bernama, 15 May 2016). Non-compliance of the by-law sees penalties up to closure of businesses, shutting down of licences and even hefty fines up to RM15,000.

We recognise that excessive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol has undesired effects on the drinkers’ health and behaviour which impacts against society at large. Hence, we agree on any legislation requiring a pre-warning label/sticker/notice on the cans or bottles of the alcoholic beverage, or that alcohol may not be sold or served to minor children, or sales restrictions on alcohol from later hours at night till early morning, or a reminder to not drink and drive.

Nevertheless, our Bureau chastises the injustice this by-law imposes against non-Muslims, what more when Surabaya has an international airport ie Juanda International Airport and Hotel.

Will flights and passengers arriving at the Juanda International Airport be penalised if they serve or carry alcohol? Will the enforcement authority raid aircrafts parked there to ensure no alcohol is “distributed” or served on board?

On a more alarming note, our Bureau is gravely worried that this Surabaya by-law will pave the way for the implementation of hudud enactments in additional provinces in Indonesia which since the formation of its republic, has been well known for its secular laws despite being the most populous Muslim country in the world.

It was only one month ago when a Christian grandmother was publicly whipped 28 times, down from the prosecutor’s recommendation of 30 strokes after being found guilty of violating Aceh’s Syariah bylaws known as Qanun Jinayat for selling alcohol. Our Bureau dreads similar public shaming of both Muslims and non-Muslims in communal squares in Surabaya.

 On our domestic front, our Bureau fears similar alcohol prohibitions will be enforced by Pakatan-held states of Kelantan and Selangor against non-Muslims. As it is after seizing Selangor from BN in 2008, PAS had proposed that alcohol sales be banned in Selangor while only one year ago ie May 2015, controversy erupted in Selangor when traditional Chinese medicine shops in Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya and Shah Alam were barred from selling liquor by the  Petaling District and Land Office to which Local Government Ean Yong Hian Wah claimed he was not aware of any such ruling issued by the local authority.

Dato’ Ng Chok Sin
MCA Religious Harmony Bureau Deputy Chairman
MCA Selangor State Liaison Committee Secretary

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