Nadeswaran blasts Khir Toyo over beer logo issue

THE SUN
Thursday, January 2, 2003

Onward, with a myopic view?

Citizen Nades
citizen-nades@thesundaily.com

· If the Selangor Mentri Besar had his way, the Carlsberg Malaysian Open Golf cannot be held at the Mines. By his reasoning, the thousands of spectators and millions of television viewers will get the impression that the country is a "haven for beer drinkers". The large A-boards on the tee-boxes and the fairways which would be captured by television cameras, if the Mentri Besar is to be believed, would create the impression that everyone involved with golf are either drunkards or alcoholics.

· If the Mentri Besar had his way, the second leg of the Formula One championships will never be allowed to be held at the Sepang Circuit. Because there will be large banners and billboards advertising Fosters Beer; the worldwide television audience which runs into at least a billion, will get the impression that everyone who follows motor racing drinks beers by the litres. If the Mentri Besar is to be believed, the viewers will come to the conclusion that motor racing fans will be drunk long before the race itself starts.

· If the Selangor Mentri Besar had his way, Malaysia would have never participated in the Tiger Cup. This, according to him, would create the impression that all footballers in this country drink beer and their participation is an endorsement of the product.

· And finally, If the Mentri Besar had his way, the country's two breweries will be ordered to cease operations or be relocated away from Selangor; failing which, visitors to the state will go away with the impression that the state endorses and encourages beer drinking.

DON'T be alarmed, dear readers. These are my cynical readings of the mind of Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Khir Toyo.

His recent antics over the issue of beer advertisements in coffee shops and restaurants, have now become a big issue being discussed at parties and get-togethers.

After making his stand known that the beer advertisements give the impression that "the state is a haven for drinkers", he has made several twists and turns in the wake of protests and objections.

From toning down posters in "family restaurants" to limiting signboards with beer logos, Mohd Khir has gone one complete circle and it has finally boiled down to licensing.

Mohd Khir's reasoning holds little or no water. Little wonder that all and sundry came down on him like a tonne of bricks, and he is now left to come up with reasons and excuses for letting his tongue slip.

His bunkered views, I am certain, are not consistent with the aspirations of our national leaders, who are advocating a pluralistic society each with their own beliefs, religions and cultures.

The fact that this decision was never discussed at any forum - the state assembly or the state executive council - gives the man-in-the-street the impression that one individual is trying to impose his will on the majority

For reasons better known to himself, Mohd Khir has ventured into unchartered waters, and if this trend is unchecked, it will drag the whole of society along with it.

His stand, view or opinion or whatever you want to call it, must NOT be argued on moral or religions grounds.

Because when race, religion or culture is used, it takes a dangerous twist, and wittingly or otherwise, politicians jump into the fray for their own selfish reasons.

Hence, common sense should prevail.

If the mere presence of posters and signboards can give the impression that the state is a haven for beer drinkers, then the mere presence of lottery outlets would also create the impression that Selangor is a haven for gamblers.

Similarly, the numerous medical and dental clinics would also represent the myopic view that we are a nation of sick people!

His notion that that "advertisements give the impression ..." is flimsy and unacceptable.

The people have a right to be consulted on changes in laws and policies.

And that's why we have state assemblymen representing the people's interests.

If there is no discussion or consultation, then democracy is not working.

If one man wants to use his decree to make or change laws and policies, then we might as well throw the statutes out of the window and use the law of the jungle.

Or are we getting a glimpse of Selangor's future a'la Kelantan?


Related thread in The Web Forum:
Khir Toyo wants all beer ads removed by March 2003