SEREMBAN International Golf Club members are looking to overturn the management’s ban on the sale of alcohol in its premises during tomorrow’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM).

They also said the decision was made without consultation and it goes against the 67-year-old club’s constitution.

The ban on the sale of alcohol came into effect last August after Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun took office and automatically became the club’s new president.

The state government owns the 18-hole golf course while the clubhouse and other sports facilities belong to the 1,100 members, who are mostly civil servants, pensioners and private sector employees. 

Members told The Malaysian Insight that Aminuddin and his committee members cannot arbitrarily decide to ban the sale of alcohol. 

“Article 4.11 of the club’s constitution allows it to buy, acquire, supply, sell and deal in all consumer goods, including golf and other sports equipment, liquor, food and refreshments as required by members,” said a member who requested anonymity.

The member, who is a lawyer, also said Aminuddin’s threat to quit as president over the objections to the ban will not work as the club constitution states the menteri besar must be club president.

“He cannot just quit as club president. He needs to amend the club constitution first.”

Constitutional amendments must be done at the club’s annual meeting.

It was reported that club members were dissatisfied with Aminuddin’s instructions for the club to stop the sale of alcohol in its premises. 

Aminuddin denied issuing the ban, saying that the decision was collectively made by the club committee.

He had said the matter was twice discussed by the committee and it had agreed that alcohol should not be sold at the club. 

The unhappy members have decided to take matter into their hands and called for an EGM on Sunday to revoke the ban. 

The club member said it is a small matter and that the alcohol ban can be overturned in a win-win situation.

“All the club needs to do is to create a separate room for non-Muslim members who want to consume alcohol and hire non-Muslim waiters. It’s easily done,” he said.

Another member agreed it is not a major issue that needs the menteri besar’s full attention, adding that Aminuddin should concentrate on issues such as drugs and illegal racing in the state.

“I have been a club member since 1989 and we have not had such issue before. We Muslims members are tolerant of what our non-Muslim members do,” said a 60-year-old pensioner.

“If they want to consume or sell alcohol, that’s their right as non-Muslims. If the menteri besar wants everyone to adhere to the ban, then as the state exco in charge of Islam, he should pass and implement Islamic laws in the state. 

“Aminuddin must remember that he is the menteri besar for all races in Negeri Sembilan,” he said, adding that former menteri besar Mohamad Hasan was better at taking care of all races in the state. 

Another member expressed confidence that the EGM will overrule the alcohol ban.

“The ban was a unilateral one. The members did not know about it.

“And I don’t expect the menteri besar to attend the EGM tomorrow,” said the 50-year-old.

The menteri besar and the state secretary have automatically been elected as president and deputy president of the club since 1991. 

The menteri besar also appoints the secretary, treasurer, club captain and five committee members.

The members elect two vice-presidents and five others to the committee. – March 23, 2019