KUALA LUMPUR – A tweet questioning whether Malaysia is a “kafir” (infidel) country due to beer being sold openly in a hypermarket has ignited fierce conversations online.
An X user known as Naqib Faiq (@coolservant) shared pictures of cartons of beer on display in a Kepong mall, with the caption “… am I living in kafir country? Alcohol is sold openly here for sale promotion..”
In trying to justify his opinion, Naqib claimed that the open sale of beer is a supposed breach of guidelines set in place by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
His post has since garnered 1.9 million views, more than 4,000 likes and 2,900 reactions as well as 706 comments as of 1.20pm today.
Based on DBKL guidelines, premises with permits to sell beer have to have a separate display from other beverages and are only sold to those aged 18 and above. Also the guidelines apply to grocery shops, convenience stores and Chinese medicinal halls.
As for tweets responding to the post, many questioned Naqib over his apparent “intolerance”, especially towards the Chinese community during the current festive season, and that it is being sold in Kepong – a Chinese-majority area.
“For Chinese New Year lahhh..Why (are) you so very scared? Does it have an effect on your daily life? Kepong is the majority of Chinese people..(Come on) lah bro.. Bukan everyday dorang jual mcm tu,” tweeted a user known as @blackendezr.
Echoing that, a user named @chajeentenang reminded the original poster that Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-religious country.
Meanwhile, X user Arvin Rao tweeted that the DBKL guidelines that Naqib shared do not apply to hypermarkets and that his “research” is outdated.
Many netizens also pointed out that no one is forced to buy the products on display, saying it is a personal choice to imbibe alcohol.
Others tried to tag the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and DBKL seeking clarification.
Scoop has reached out to DBKL and the hypermarket for a response. – February 19, 2024