FT minister slams MCO work approval given to Heineken

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 6 Apr 2020 11:25AM · 7 Comments

Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa has slammed the govenrment's decision to let Heineken resume limited operations during the MCO period, saying only essential businesses are allowed to open. – EPA pic, April 6, 2020.

FEDERAL Territories Minister Annuar Musa has slammed the government’s decision to allow brewer Heineken Malaysia Bhd to resume limited operations during the movement-control order (MCO).

He said the approval given by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry goes against the agreed government stand on this matter.

“This is clearly not in line with the policy which has been decided before.

“Action must be taken immediately. Period!” he said on his social media today.

His views echoed those expressed by many social media users who had questioned the reopening of the brewery.

The Perikatan Nasional government is also under pressure from coalition member, the Islamist PAS, who today demanded a withdrawal of the approval letter to the brewery.

“PAS respects the right of non-Muslims to consume alcohol, but it is not an essential service during this critical time as we fight the Covid-19 outbreak,” the party’s information chief Kamaruzaman Mohamad said in a statement.

Putrajaya had previously ordered all non-essential companies to be shut during the MCO, which is to run until April 14.

However, yesterday, Heineken said it has received approval from the government to resume limited operations with a minimal number of essential workers.

Heineken had earlier on March 24 suspended the operations of its brewery in Petaling Jaya in line with the MCO and its employees were working from home until March 31.

In a statement last night, Heineken said it will ensure full compliance with the government’s requirements and guidelines during the MCO period.

“Our first priority remains the health, safety and wellbeing of the people.

“Only very essential staff (less than 10% of our workforce) will be involved in ensuring continuous and uninterrupted supply of our products in the market. All our other non-essential workers will continue to operate from home,” it said.

Heineken said temperature screening, social distancing, segregation of workforce into batches, sanitisation of the workplace and common areas and wearing of face masks will be mandatory for all its workers particularly for those who have to carry out the essential works.

“We have an obligation to ensure continuous supply of our products, maintain the employment of our people and to contribute positively to the economic recovery of our nation,” said Heineken.

The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry’s letter to Heineken agreed that the alcoholic beverages producer was a food supply operator and therefore can operate during the partial lockdown.

“In reference to your application dated March 24, after scrutinising and checking the documents presented, the ministry finds your application fulfils the required criteria as an operator in the food supply sector under the MCO.

“Therefore, the ministry affirms and agrees that your business activities can open/operate to ensure sufficient food supply throughout the MCO enforcement,” read the letter dated March 31.

It was signed by the ministry’s director-general Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad.

Earlier, Bersatu youth had also questioned the decision to let Heineken operate when many others were forced to remain shut.

The wing also questioned why the ruling Malay-Muslim government is giving such leeway for a company which brews beer.

It said the products of Heineken are forbidden by Islam, and are definitely not essential items during the MCO.

“Thousands of bumi businesses are affected by Covid-19 and the MCO, especially the smaller ones.

“Why this special privilege given to the beer company when it is clear their business is haram?

“Is it because this factory has connections?” asked the wing’s exco member Abu Hafiz Salleh Huddin and information chief Ulya Aqamah Husamudin. – April 6, 2020.

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Comments

  • These fools from Bersatu fail to realise that this is a multiracial country and what is haram to Muslims may be essential for a lot of non-Muslims. Heineken's continued operations do not affect the rights of Muslims. In fact the taxes and duties from its continued operations add tax revenue to the nation's coffers. Why can't these politicians understand this before they shoot their mouth off as though they're suffering from diarrhoea?

    Posted 4 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • This FT Minister like to inflame the emotions of Muslims. Still playing politics to attack his fellow coalition colleague. He is a member of the Pintu Belakang coalition and true to form, he is backstabbing his coalition partner. At the same time he is making outrageous claims about Heineken beer which is not in his portfolio. In short he incites the rakyat's feelings without good reason but for personal political gain and thus is a danger to national security and should be permanently quarantined.

    Posted 4 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • Illegitimate thick-skin. Period.

    Posted 4 years ago by TC Koh · Reply

  • The Muslim parties are baying for blood just because a fellow Non Muslim Sarawakain Minister has allowed beer to be manufactured. What is GPS stand on this? Are you going to allow your Minister to be cowed by these radical Muslims? It wont look good to have your Minister subservient to them. Sarawak need to be seen to protect the rights of the majority non Muslims in Sarawak if they want to win the coming state election.

    Posted 4 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply

  • What an ass statement from a corrupt Backdoor minister who has yet to account for his corruption involving Mara funds.

    Posted 4 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • Yeah this bugger is corrupted... he would approve it once gets funding like the MARA

    Posted 4 years ago by Sam SamaSama · Reply

  • Double standard? Beer is NOT food. Beverage is fluid, a liquid drink. Far from the real meaning of food, with certain portion solid matter. The DG has to study his text in detail.

    Posted 4 years ago by Chris Kwan · Reply