PETALING JAYA, Oct 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reportedly issued a “stern warning” to Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, as well as his ministry, following the controversy over alcoholic beverages being served at a dinner linked to Tourism Malaysia’s Global Travel Meet, Bernama reported.
Anwar is said to have also reminded the Cabinet and Putrajaya‘s administrative machinery to ensure strict compliance with rules prohibiting the serving of alcohol at official government functions.
The controversy arose after Bersatu MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin shared a video on Facebook last Saturday questioning why alcohol was served at a government-related event, which she said contravened cultural and constitutional norms.
Tiong, however, denied that the gala dinner was a government-hosted function. He clarified that while Tourism Malaysia initially organised the event, private sector partners took over the dinner to celebrate Malaysia’s first global travel meet of its kind and pursue business opportunities.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he would raise Umno‘s concerns about the serving of alcohol at the dinner during the upcoming Cabinet meeting.
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