DAP’s Teresa Kok had took to Facebook to urge the Environment and Water Minister, Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man to focus on his portfolio instead of brand names that can affect the sensitivities of any race or religion.
Teresa said this in response to Tuan Ibrahim’s remark that the government will ban all products which brand names are capable of causing “distress” or offend the sensitivities of the people.
“I read his statement with great amusement. I also wonder whether Tuan Ibrahim understands the global and local challenges of his own ministry in the government, namely the Ministry of Environment and Water, and whether he is committed to the causes too.”
“Tuan Ibrahim is not only absent in this important world environment conference, his major concern in the country now is not on climate change but is on the name of a locally-produced whiskey and the names of other consumer’s products.” she said in a statement.
Teresa was referring to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties taking place in Glasglow, Scotland from 31 October to 12 November, adding that Tuan Ibrahim seemed to be more concerned about other matters not pertaining to the environment.
“Is the name of a Malaysian whisky going to increase carbon emissions in Malaysia or pollute the water sources?”
“As Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has said, all ministers will be evaluated within 100 days. I wonder what Tuan Ibrahim’s performance report will be like?”
“Is he going to present the list of brand names of products which sound sensitive to Muslims that have been barred from being sold as his 100-day KPIs (key performance indicators) as the environment and water minister?” she said.
Teresa then urge the PAS deputy president to focus on enhancing public awareness on environment protection and climate change, rather than sensationalise trivial issue based on race and religion.
Yesterday, Tuan Ibrahim has announced that the Malaysian government has agreed to regulate brand names and images that can affect the sensitivities of any race or religion, following the controversy over the name of a whisky brand.
Since then, there was a heated debate over the Malaysian-made whisky “Timah”, with some claiming that its name sounded like a shortened version of the Arabic name Fatimah, while the rest said the groups were just being too sensitive.
However, the manufacturer of Timah, Winepak has explained that “Timah” refers to the Malay word of tin, and that they plan to change the whisky’s name and image after having a meeting with multiple ministers.
What do you think about this? Share your thoughts!
Read the statement from Teresa here:
