Hold GTM2026 in Sarawak, channel alcohol taxes here, says Progress Democratic Party youth chief

MIRI, Oct 8: Perhaps the “sin” taxes collected from alcohol should go to Sarawak and the next Global Travel Meet (GTM) be held in this Bornean State.

By doing so, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) youth chief David Yeo Ang Lim believed that it may make those criticising Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing who has been embroiled in alcohol serving controversy at GTM think twice.

“For the umpteenth time, these individuals from Perikatan Nasional focus only on their political mileage, what positive contribution have these two made for Malaysians and the economy?” Yeo said, citing Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and UMNO youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh.

He said Mas Ermieyati as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) should focus on more pressing matters, such as cleaning up the Immigration Department or tackling the fake halal meat scandal.

As for Dr Akmal, he held that the former should be grateful for the RM420 million generated from GTM 2025.

“I’m sure the people of Malacca want a subsequent, equally profitable GTM in 2026. Conversely, their active pursuit in GTM 2025 is to Malaysia’s detriment,” said Yeo who came to defend Tiong, who is PDP president.

Describing her action as a “bull in a China shop”, Yeo held that Mas Ermieyati insistence of Malaysia’s cultural sensitivities would shatter the nation’s good image of social harmony and cultural tolerance

“Imagine when potential non-Muslim tourists who do want to enjoy alcoholic beverages freely read about this debacle on social media, such as Datuk Fang Bin Bin’s (China’s famous actress) Instagram followers, do you think it will add confidence to their decision to come here, especially Malacca?

“This is a private event, why is she intervening in it? She speaks of the recent Cuepacs’ decision as if it applies to Malaysians everywhere.

“As for her recent press conference’s fact on tourists increasingly preferring to have an alcohol-free trip from Hotel.com, she conveniently forgets to mention that 66 per cent of the 25-34 years old demographic still wants easy access to alcohol,” said Yeo.

To him, Mas Emieyati’s cherry picking of facts reflected her lack of political awareness for her non-Muslim constituents and her liking of fear-mongering akin to PAS.

“I remind everyone that despite GTM 2025 being a private event, Dato Sri Tiong has taken steps to ensure transparency and respectfully taken on the Prime Minister’s advice. It would be wise for Mas Ermieyati and Akmal Saleh to remember their role in upholding a united Madani government, and be grateful for what they have,” said Yeo.

Tiong has been under fire for serving alcohol during a GTM2025 dinner.

On Satuday (Oct 4), Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin posted a video on Facebook questioning the serving of alcoholic beverages at a government event, which she claimed breached cultural and constitutional norms.

In response, Tiong said that the dinner was a private industry initiative, not a government function. In a Facebook post, he explained that Tourism Malaysia was only responsible for organising the GTM 2025, and the dinner was organised by private sector partners to celebrate Malaysia’s first global travel event of its kind.

Chiming in, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he would raise UMNO’s objection to the serving of alcohol at a Cabinet meeting. This had led to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to issue a stern warning to Tiong yesterday. —DayakDaily

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