Letter to Editor
I READ with great interest of a Muslim lawyer’s distinct and profound unhappiness that his subscription fees to the Selangor Bar may be used to buy, gasp, booze!
It was reported that sharia counsel Nazrul Nazir who is a Selangor Bar member reckoned that it is appropriate for him to question “if the money that my law firm pays for the annual subscription fee is being used for this alcoholic beverage”.
Referring to a beer drinking contest that ensued at the event themed A Denim Affair: Confidential. Casual. Unforgettable which took place on May 23 at DoubleTree by Hilton @ i-City, Shah Alam, the pious lawyer was aghast that his monies were being directed towards haram activities.
Similar criticism was raised by fellow Muslim lawyers who also felt that alcohol consumption tarnished the reputation of the profession and was not respectful to Muslims.
Yes, they are all fair points and valid arguments.
Shall we now put the shoe on the other foot?
How do you think non-Muslims feel when their taxes are used for exclusively Islamic events while every effort is used to undermine their ability to gather and worship.
I refer to an article by political commenter Prof James Chin who highlighted an over two decades struggle by a Catholic church to find premises to build a house of worship in Selangor.
Various delays were down to “respecting Muslim sensitivities” in the various proposed (and rejected) sites.
How do you think that makes non-Muslims feel? Their right to worship is considered offensive to Muslims. That’s what it really boils down to right?
How about the political hot potato of public tertiary education? How do you think non-Malays feel when they see their tax monies being poured into public universities which they have limited access to.
Better yet, the knowledge that their taxes are funding many a Malay scholar’s education abroad when such opportunities are not open – or extremely limited – to them.
If the Muslim lawyer is aggrieved at other members enjoying a tipple at his expense, how do you think non-Muslims feel about the above scenarios.
The right to practice one’s religion is enshrined in the Federal Constitution. As shown in the incidents above, this right is seriously being questioned.
The right to education is also recognised as a fundamental human right. This, too, is being severely tested with Malaysia’s “positive discrimination” policies.
To the offended Muslim lawyer, yes, it is your right to question how your fees are being utilised. But do take a moment to imagine what if feels like to be in the minority in this country where even the right to worship is called into question.
Or if a substantial amount of taxpayers’ monies – a gargantuan RM2.6 bil including that of non-Muslims – are channelled under Budget 2026 alone towards Islamic affairs agencies including JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia).
To Nazrul Nazir and like-minded individuals, just pause for a moment and think how non-Muslims feel. If you are unhappy about some beer being consumed on your tab, imagine the sentiment of the minorities that is being asked to foot the bill for things they are not privy to. – June 3, 2026
A Sober Malaysian
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
