MINISTER in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Idris Ahmad agrees with the call for a local alcoholic beverage company to immediately change its Timah brand name and the picture used on its bottle.

He said such things are provocative, adding that the use of the name can cause confusion to the community and religion.

“We do not agree with the principle of using the Timah brand name. What does the company mean by that name? Is there a new normalisation? This is what we are worried about.”

Penang Mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor had in a statement yesterday expressed disappointment over a viral advertisement, which stated that a locally made whisky has been given the brand name Timah and displayed a bearded man with a skull cap resembling a religious man on its bottle.

Idris said he will discuss the matter with the Home Ministry and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

He also said his department is ready to provide counselling to Muhammad Sajjad Kamarul Zaman, better known as Nur Sajat, if the cosmetics entrepreneur returns to Malaysia.

Nur Sajat has confirmed that she has permanently left for Australia and does not plan to return to Malaysia, reported the media yesterday.

The 36-year-old is sought by authorities after the Shariah High Court in Shah Alam, Selangor, issued an arrest warrant against her on February 23 for failing to attend proceedings over a charge of dressing as a woman. – Bernama, October 19, 2021.