Tun M questions motives behind alcohol served at government-linked dinner, calls out it 'insensitive, should have known better'

PUTRAJAYA – "Could be deliberate" - that’s how former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad described the decision to serve alcohol at a recent official gala dinner, saying the act violated long-standing government policy and disrespected Muslim sensitivities.

He said the policy of government has always been not to serve alcoholic drink at any function and that was known to everybody.

"How this thing was breached is something I can’t understand.Unless of course it is deliberate.

"I think this is a sort of testing - to see what the reaction would be," he said during Sinar Daily's Top News Podcast interview on Thursday.

Dr Mahathir said could not accept that the person did not know that what he was doing was wrong.

"He knows, but he just does it maybe in order to provoke a reaction from the citizens who are Muslim," he said on the gala dinner held in conjunction with the Global Travel Meet, which sparked public criticism after alcoholic beverages were reportedly served at the event.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has since admitted his mistake in organising the dinner, expressing regret over the discomfort caused among the public.

During Minister’s Question Time in Dewan Rakyat, Tiong said both he and ministry were “deeply sorry for any confusion or misunderstanding that caused discomfort among the people.”

He clarified that the gala dinner had become a private function and admitted his mistake for not announcing it earlier, stressing that it was not an official government programme.

Tiong also assured that ministry would ensure all official engagements moving forward comply with government guidelines, particularly Service Circular 3/2003, which bans the serving of alcoholic beverages at official functions.

The controversy was further fuelled when Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming remarked that serving alcohol at international events was a common practice, saying no Muslims were compelled to consume it.

Nga cautioned against exaggerating the issue, warning that it could harm Malaysia’s global image ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, adding that Malaysia was a nation built on diversity and mutual respect, with the “Malaysia Truly Asia” concept reflecting unity in diversity and interfaith harmony.

However, Dr Mahathir said such explanations failed to recognise local sensitivities and Malaysia’s social fabric.

“For Muslims, it’s not just about not drinking - serving it in front of them is also objectionable.

“In Malaysia, we are more sensitive. Certain things we do not do.

"For example, if you have a dinner where a Muslim guest is present, you don’t serve pork, it is haram. You may want to eat it and he doesn’t have to eat it, but serving it in Malaysia at least - is not acceptable.

"Although in other countries they may do (serving alcohol and pork at official government events) in Malaysia we do not. People in Malaysia must know the value system of Malaysians,” he said, adding that in Malaysia mutual respect requires understanding the sensitivities of others.