Umno can ensure secularism, linking with Amanah and DAP

[superadmin]

Recent flip-flops by the federal government on matters involving non-Muslim liberties have led to some people accusing it of playing the “good cop, bad cop” game.

The issue of reversing its stand of asking the manufacturers of Timah whisky to do a name change was one among them.

Here, domestic trade and consumer affairs minister Alexander Nanta Linggi, a Sarawakian Christian, was seen as the hero by settling the matter in a most amicable manner, when it was not an issue in the first place. Level heads prevailed despite PAS’ stand on the matter.

Then came the finance ministry’s new regulation on alcohol sale and licensing fees which saw a barrage of protests from non-Muslims. It was not because all of them were alcoholics, but most felt that if allowed, the ruling could be the start of authorities infringing on the rights of non-Muslims in a constitutionally secular country.

In came MCA’s Wee Ka Siong, sounding like a knight in shining armour, making an announcement that the Customs department, which is under the finance ministry, would cancel the order. It’s obvious why the government tasked Wee with making the announcement when he was only the transport minister. Of course it was to score points with the Chinese community.

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