SEREMBAN International Golf Club members (SIGC) voted yesterday to withdraw a ban on alcohol at the club.

The decision was made at an extraordinary general meeting called over the issue.

“It was a unanimous decision,” SIGC member Shanjoy Roy Choudhury told The Malaysian Insight.

He said the ban was rejected because it was inconsistent with the club constitution.

“The order for a ban was wrong because it was not passed by the members, which was why we called for an EGM. After a discussion, a decision was been made to withdraw the directive.

“The club committee has to accept and abide by the decision of the EGM,” said Shanjoy, who is the former SIGC secretary.

He said 160 members attended the EGM.

Club members had demanded for an EGM as they did not agree that alcohol should be prohibited at the club.

Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, who is the club president, was absent from the meeting, which was chaired by the deputy president Razali Ab Malik, who is the state secretary.

Aminuddin, who allegedly ordered the alcohol ban, said on Friday that the club committee had ordered the alcohol ban of their own volition.

Aminuddin was earlier reported to have threatened to resign as club president if SIGC did not stop serving alcohol on its premises, saying it conflicted with his duties as chairman of the State Islamic Action Committee. 

Another club member, Chandran, 67, said the members last night also discussed whether there should be a separate area for the non-Muslims who imbibe.

“A Malay club member suggested that the drinkers be separated in a special room. But then another Malay member rejected the proposal. He said it was unnecessary and all of us agreed that one should be free to drink at the club without need for segregation,” said the former government official.

The 67-year-old club has 1,100 members, less than half of which are non-Muslims. The members are mainly civil servants and retirees.

The state government owns the golf course at the club while the clubhouse and sports facilities belong to the members.

Meanwhile, Sashi, 53, said Aminuddin’s position as club president was not discussed at last night’s EGM.

“He cannot resign as the state constitution clearly states that the menteri besar is automatically the club president. It will be necessary to amend the constitution if he wishes to resign,” said Sashi, a member of more than 20 years’ standing.

Sashi said club members would propose to the state government to amend the constitution so Aminuddin could leave

“We do not mind if Aminuddin does not want to be president. He has never once attended the club AGM or EGM. So we suggest that the state government amends the constitution.

“If he is not interested in the club’s affairs, then let the members manage the club.” – March 25, 2019.