“We need to be tolerant” – PH’s Marina Ibrahim Responds to Alcohol Event Ban in Penang Mall

Perikatan Nasional in Penang has recently called for an alcohol event at a Penang mall to be held privately, to which the management of the mall agreed. This was done to protect the sensitivity of the community in the area, and not to promote the sales of alcoholic beverages on a large scale.

Pakatan Harapan’s Marina Ibrahim, on the other hand, believes that the step was not necessary. As Malaysia is a multiracial country, Marina said that we should live with tolerance, and that does not mean we have to put our faith and religion aside. In her Twitter post yesterday (January 12), Marina shared her take on living in this multicultural country.

“I’ve never been influenced”

The assemblywoman for Skudai, Johor said that she has attended many events that served beef when she had many friends who don’t eat the food.

“They were not upset, they just took other dishes that were available.”

Similarly, Marina then admitted that she has a lot of friends who consume alcohol and pork but their “diet” has never prompted her to follow in the same footsteps.

“I have never been influenced by what they eat and drink in front of me,” she added.

She continued and assured the people that faith lies within ourselves, and if we adhere to the prohibitions simply because we believe in it, we wouldn’t be tempted to do it regardless of the circumstances.

She then said that “religion is in the heart”, and it’s all about how much we believe in our faith.

“I know I have no right to say this because I don’t wear a hijab. But if you’re a believer of your own faith, then your faith alone should stop you from doing anything that you know is prohibited,” Marina explained.

Banyak kali jamuan hidangkan daging lembu, kawan aku ada yg tak makan lembu. Mereka tak rasa kecil hati pun, mereka tahu ambil pilihan lauk lain.

Kawan aku minum arak,mkn daging babi depan aku manakala aku tidak. Tak pernah pula aku terpengaruh. https://t.co/HAfMQS9G5X

— Marina Ibrahim (@Marina_Ibrahims) January 11, 2023

Marina’s tweet is a response to the recent call for the banning of massive and public sales of alcohol at a mall in Penang. Perikatan Nasional’s Ustaz Muhammad Fawwaz said that the public alcohol event did not align with the 5th National Principles – Courtesy and Morality.

Regardless, do you agree with Marina’s take on living in a multiracial country?

Also read: MP: Current PAS Leaders Must Be Educated To Respect Other Races Like How The Late Nik Aziz Did