By Terence Fernandez
Global Travel Meet alcohol controversy lays bare hypocrisy of some leaders.
WHEN Global Travel Meet 2025 opened its doors to delegates from across the world, it was meant to showcase Malaysia’s vibrant tourism offerings, cultural richness and yes MH — our famed Malaysian Hospitality.
But true to form, the usual suspects could not resist making a spectacle of themselves.
The controversy over alcohol being served at the gala dinner has now sucked up more oxygen than the very industry we’re supposedly trying to resuscitate post-pandemic.
In the midst of this Petronas President and Group Chief Executive Officer Tengku Muhammad Taufik had to issue an apology for participating in the traditional spraying of the champagne on the podium of the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday.
If you’re still wondering why investors and visitors are giving Malaysia the side-eye, look no further than this manufactured moral hysteria.
Nevermind the RM420m in tourism deals that according to Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing were secured.
Nevermind it was to build traction for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Who cares about that? Cue the chorus of sanctimony. Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, Datuk Akmal Nasir, and their kind — not to mention the perpetually offended PAS — have gone on a performative crusade, treating the event as if it was a clandestine rave rather than a professionally organised trade conference for tourism professionals from around the world.
Let’s get one thing straight: alcohol is legal in Malaysia. It’s regulated, taxed, and for better or worse — it’s part and parcel of how international events are conducted.
Minister Tiong had explained the decision to hand the organisation of the event to the industry to save taxpayers’ money so that the organisers can pick up the tab.
Unless the aim is to market Malaysia as a closed-off theocracy rather than a plural, modern nation, someone needs to explain what the actual outrage is here.
Sure, in taking care of local sensitivities, perhaps they could have just served sirap selasih or teh tarik which are after all our national drinks.
Or the very least have a bar outside the ballroom with instructions that guests are not allowed to bring their alcoholic beverages into the function room.
But where got syiok to yam seng with sirap and air suam?
Once must remember this is the GLOBAL Travel Mart which does not cater to just one demographic.
So in making it a private sector event, not a Government of Malaysia event, there would be flexibility in the F&B to cater to an international crowd
The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had announced that he has reprimanded the Minister for this faux pax – treading a fine line between upholdong religious, conservative values; and the pragmatism that is essential in making the country and attractive destination for tourists and investors.
If Mas Ermieyati and Akmal want to score political points perhaps they should be as offended on other pressing issues.
Where was the fury when FIFA dropped a bombshell that shook Malaysia’s already fragile sporting credibility?
According to the sport’s governing body, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) submitted forged documents in the naturalisation of seven foreign players to meet eligibility criteria. That’s not just cheating — that’s fraud, on an international platform.
This isn’t just about football — this is about integrity, governance, and the continued erosion of Malaysia’s reputation in the eyes of the world.
Yet, the outrage from our morality brigade is muted. No pressers, no “urgent” demands for accountability, no fiery sermons.
Apparently, a glass of wine at a trade fair is more scandalous than institutionalised dishonesty that tarnishes the country’s standing.
If Mas Ermieyati and friends had an ounce of consistency, they’d be hounding those responsible for the FAM fiasco.
That hundreds of hardworking people in our country with familial ties here, have been waiting for decades to obtain citizenship.
But no — they’ve found their villain in alcohol. Because it’s easier to rile up the base with beer and wine, than it is to talk about actual reforms or ethics.
Just yesterday five people were fined by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for forging documents to register babies at the National Registration Department (NRD).
Isn’t this exactly what FAM is being accused of committing? Why isn’t anyone in cuffs yet?
Here’s a modest proposal: if we want to be taken seriously as a nation — by investors, tourists, and even our own people — then perhaps we should spend less time policing wine glasses and more time cleaning our own house.
Terence Fernandez is Editor in Chief of Big Boom Media which publishes scoop.my
Booze, bluster and baffling priorities
