Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim hits out at Pulai MP's alcohol vending machine suggestion

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has hit out at Pulai MP Suhaizan's Kayat's proposal to have a mechanism for convenience stores to sell alcohol through vending machines so that Muslim employees do not need to handle such beverages.

"By extension, no Malay drivers should be allowed to drive any vehicles carrying beer bottles," the former law minister said in a post on X on Thursday (March 7).

"No Malay customs officers should be allowed to inspect beer consignments and impose duties. Lastly, the Finance Ministry needs to employ more non-Muslims quickly as many business and commercial activities in the country are not halal-type," added Zaid.

Earlier, the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) said it would look into suggestions for convenience stores to use vending machines to sell alcoholic drinks so that Muslim staff do not have to touch these items.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan said Putrajaya welcomes proposals to address issues about Muslims handling alcoholic beverages at work.

Zulkifli was responding to a supplementary question by Suhaizan Kayat (PH-Pulai), who asked about mechanisms to allow staff to work without handling alcoholic drinks.

"The local council discussed having a guideline so that alcohol sales can be made through vending machines so they will not have to hand over and sell alcoholic drinks directly," said Suhaizan.