RENOWNED kuil haram (illegal temple) activist Cikgu Chandra has dared Malaysian politicians to make drastic decisions like what Chandrasekaran Joseph Vijay did when the newly minted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister (CM) ordered the closure of over 700 liquor shops in the state recently.
The social media influencer who is a well-respected personality in the Malay Muslim community deemed such a firm decision as being beneficial to Malaysians, especially in efforts to curb and reduce drunk driving cases in the country.
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In fact, Cikgu Chandra whose real name is S. Chandrasegaran justified that the safety and well-being of Malaysians should be the Madani government’s priority rather than taxes or profits alone.
“If 717 liquor shops can be closed there (in Tamil Nadu), why can’t we here? “Don’t think too much about taxes or profits. Taxes and profits can be found elsewhere. Not necessarily from alcohol,” he told Malay language TV Pertiwi recently.
Recall that just two days after taking oath as Tamil Nadu’s CM, the former Indian actor with large following in Malaysia launched one of the biggest liquor control drives in the state by ordering the closure of 717 government-run TASMAC liquor shops located near schools, temples and bus stops.
‘Fat hope that happening in Malaysia’
Tamil Nadu currently has 4,765 retail liquor outlets operated by TASMAC (Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd) but a statewide survey ordered by the 51-year-old Christian by faith Vijay identified 717 outlets falling within the restricted zones. All 717 have been ordered shut within two weeks.
Editor’s Note: In February 2024, Vijay announced his retirement from films and his entry into politics.
He founded the TVK (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam) which secured 108 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election.
Emerging as the single-largest party, the TVK broke the half-century-long DMK–ADMK duopoly in Tamil Nadu politics. With the support of several smaller parties, Vijay became chief minister on May 10 with a majority of 118 seats in the 234-seat state assembly.
Delving further, Cikgu Chandra contended that topics like this should be among the discussions among political party leaders or elected representatives rather than trivial matters that continue to create tension between each other.
“I ask political parties who sometimes say things that don’t make sense, to talk about this, including in Parliament,” he challenged.
“I hope MPs or state assemblymen will open their mouths to discuss restrictions on the sale of alcohol. For example, don’t sell alcohol after 6pm or ban it altogether. Maybe this can reduce cases of drunk driving,” he added.
A quick glance at the TV Pertiwi article on Facebook which has garnered 15K likes, 1.4K comments and 864 shares at the time of writing pointed to Cikgu Chandra’s fanbase having little faith in the Madani government living up to the social activist’s expectations.
“Vijay is more noble than the Malay political leaders in Malaysia who are foolish on the aspect of their religion being manipulated,” quipped one commenter while another lamented that they are “only Malay and Muslim on their IC (identity card).”
One commenter even lambasted that “which Malaysian politician dares to do so for their ba*ls are already being held firmly by DAP”.
This was when one non-Muslim commenter stood up to clear the air that Vijay “only ordered to close liquor shops within 500 meters from schools, temples and bus terminals”.
“Liquor shops outside 500 meters from schools, temples and bus terminals are still operating as usual,” he clarified while arguing that alcohol per se is not the worst of social ills affecting Malaysia.
In Malaysia, many school kids are addicted to vape and vape mixed with drugs. solve that problem first. In the whole of India, vape has been banned 100%.
Moreover, 82% of drug addicts in Malaysia are Malays. So stop drugs addiction first alongside alcohol consumption forever. 🍺 That should be the right move! – May 15, 2026
