Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen has called the withdrawal of a local beer named “Santubong” a setback for the state and a “loss of a precious part of Sarawak’s values of tolerance and harmony”.
He questioned the need for the Sarawak-based craft beer producer to withdraw the product from the market following criticism from Santubong MP Nancy Shukri and her constituents, The Borneo Post reported.
He said he saw no issue with the company naming a beer “Santubong”, because it helps promote a Sarawakian identity.
Chong, who is Stampin MP, said Sarawakians should embrace such initiatives as a way to showcase the state to the wider world.
“Just as we proudly market products like Borneo Fresh Pork to Singapore or our locally produced wine, tuak, the naming of a beer inspired by ‘Santubong’ is simply part of showcasing Sarawak’s identity and heritage,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Chong was responding to news that the company decided to withdraw the beer from distribution “due to the overwhelming response and attention around the name Santubong”.
According to product information, the beer was “inspired by the majestic Mount Santubong in Sarawak”. It is brewed and bottled in Sibu.
The state opposition leader questioned why Sarawakians had suddenly become so sensitive that even the naming of a beer could be deemed offensive.
He said he would expect such a thing to happen only in Peninsular Malaysia.
“But to see it happening here in Sarawak, and spearheaded by Nancy Shukri, is deeply disappointing.
“Her so-called ‘victory’ over the ‘Santubong’ beer issue is in fact a setback and a loss of a small yet precious part of Sarawak’s values of tolerance and harmony,” he said, according to The Borneo Post.
Chong stressed that the bigger concern was not about a single product name, but about Sarawak gradually sliding into the same hypersensitive and overzealous political culture it had long prided itself on avoiding.
“Today, it’s a beer brand. What will it be tomorrow? How much more of Sarawak’s unique identity are we willing to give up just to pander to race, religion and political theatrics?” he asked.
