A FEW days ago, the minister in charge of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) deemed it right to ban an online gaming platform, presumably over its depiction of certain Gods and deities worshipped by Malaysians, citing religious sensitivity as the reason for doing so.

It seemed strange for such a drastic move to happen so quickly. Apart from a few light hearted news articles about the game, there was no usual demonstration, or outrage, or angry and emotional viral posts swearing to wage holy war against this unholy software.

To the gaming community, the action taken also does not make sense. Of the 125 million active Steam users, tens of thousands are Malaysians. And most are there to play more popular titles than some obscure game they probably have not heard of until their connections were cut.

It is also strange that the minister chose Steam to vent off these frustrations, when there are other titles and media that depict gods and deities worshipped here in similar fashion, sometimes even in a more mocking tone that creates an actual uproar. For instance, the Australian Meat and Livestock Authority advertisement promoting consumption of lamb that received brickbats for depicting Ganesha as a meat-eater.

Perhaps if the good minister were better informed, he would have elected to wait before exercising blanket moral guardianship on behalf of Malaysians who did not want or really need their perceived sensitivities protected.

He would hardly be the only one to do so.

PAS has constantly and consistently strived to keep the morals of Malaysians intact, whether or not they subscribe to their membership and ideology.

Most recently, they have taken offence that a Kuala Lumpur craft beer distributor will be hosting a craft beer festival in the city. Their concern, among others, is that this would confuse tourists and the world as to the identity of Malaysia as a Muslim country, replaced as a “vice hub of Asia”.

This follows a string of concerns prior to this one – on concerts, the sale of alcohol on Malaysian planes and Valentine’s Day, to name a few.

But as the name suggests, craft beer, is, to its fans, an art. An artisanal beer to its fans, is more than merely an alcoholic drink to get sloshed on, it is a complex brew rich in history and sophisticated in technique. It could be compared to a well-painted piece of art or a perfectly blended bottle of perfume.  In many establishments, it is paired with gourmet creations and street food. A beer craft festival therefore, is quite different from an all-you-can-drink-street-alcohol-party.

And even if they were holding an all-you-can-drink-street-alcohol party, if not in a Muslim area, or during Muslim festivities, why shouldn’t it be held? Malaysia is a multi-racial, multi-religious country and that has always been one of her strengths. This means that each race and religion can bring something to the table for everything- diplomacy, business, arts, culture, even tourism.

Already, Hindu pilgrims from neighbouring countries pay homage to Lord Murugan in Batu Caves for Thaipusam and pray to St Anne’s in Bukit Mertajam during her Feast Day. The Siamese and Burmese opposite the road from each other in Penang attracts thousands of visitors, as does the Reclining Buddha in Tumpat, Kelantan, which is under PAS.

High alcohol prices and resistance to anything deemed irreligious would hardly turn Malaysia into a vice hub anytime soon, nor do we need to be. But culture and art, especially those beneficial for our image as a tourist destination, even in forms not fully understood or accepted by some, should be preserved and cultivated.

The same applies to leisure and recreational activities. One man’s meat in some cases, is literally another man’s poison.

To limit our sales potential in these areas would only serve to help us lose both tourist and Malaysian dollars to our northern and southern neighbours.

There is a difference between respecting the sensitivities of the majority and infringing upon the rights of the minority and it should be a question of balance and understanding, not imposition and force. – September 12, 2017.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.