Tourism Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing found himself in hot water this week after photographs showing him holding wine and beer glasses at a dinner event, drawing criticism from Muslim politicians who claim alcohol was served at an official government tourism promotion gathering.
In a fiery statement, the Bintulu MP shot back at critics, insisting the booze-filled dinner wasn’t a government event at all—it was a private industry gathering that Tourism Malaysia had simply borrowed as a platform. Eventually, Prime Minister issued a stern warning to Tiong urging him not to repeat the same thing.
Because of this event, someone asked Rasyidah (拉丝达) the first Malay newcaster in Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) to read the news in Mandarin whether alcohol should be served at events. She said “I think it depends on the occasion and purpose. Living in a diverse society, we need to balance mutual understanding, respect, and tolerance. I’ve always had some personal thoughts about this.”
Additionally, she also said, “I don’t drink alcohol myself, but when I go out with friends, I’ve never stopped my non-Muslim friends from drinking, because they’re not prohibited from doing so, and I don’t pry too much. Still, they always take the initiative to check whether my food or drinks contain alcohol, sometimes even more carefully than I do. If they sense something’s off, they will immediately take it away from me. Their thoughtfulness has always touched me profoundly“ Consequently, most local Chinese newspaper reported her opinion and many Chinese readers gave a favourable response.
In my opinion, I myself do not drink. However, many people enjoy drinking, and there’s nothing wrong with that. A glass of wine can be like a soft melody that loosens the heart’s strings, turning strangers into friends and friends into family. The clinking of glasses often feels like a chorus of celebration, a symphony of laughter echoing through the night. Yet what puzzles me is why some people insist on “urging others to drink,” or worse, “forcing them to drink,” as if the true essence of friendship lies at the bottom of a bottle.
A genuine toast should never come at the expense of someone else’s discomfort. When someone raises a glass willingly, the moment becomes a shared joy—a meeting of hearts. However, when another person declines—perhaps because they have to drive later, have health concerns, or simply cannot handle alcohol—shouldn’t that be respected? After all, respect is the most refined form of courtesy. Those who can drink deserve admiration for their tolerance, yes, but those who can drink without compelling others to do the same deserve an even deeper respect. They are like calm harbours amid stormy seas—steady, mature, and wise.
The sense of boundaries at the drinking table is, in truth, a quiet test of friendship. It reveals who values your company for who you are, and who only values your company when you join their indulgence. If—touch wood —an accident occurs because someone was pressured into drinking, whether it’s a drunk-driving tragedy, a physical breakdown, or an irreparable loss, who can truly shoulder that responsibility? Friendship and accountability cannot be swept aside with a nervous laugh or the flimsy excuse of “just joking.” Alcohol tolerance has never been a yardstick for courage or sincerity; it is, rather, a mirror reflecting how much respect we hold for one another.
Every glass poured is a choice, and every refusal should be met with grace. The beauty of a gathering lies not in the strength of the liquor, but in the warmth of the hearts that surround it. Drinking is a freedom, a small indulgence that colours life’s evenings—but pressuring others is a burden that stains the joy of the moment. Before lifting a glass to your lips, pause and think about how you’ll return home safely. The road at night is long and silent; don’t let your laughter today become someone’s tears tomorrow.
Respect, after all, isn’t about nationality, age, or culture—it is the universal language of humanity. A toast doesn’t need to be filled with alcohol to carry sincerity. Sometimes, a glass of tea, coffee, or even water can hold more meaning than a bottle of wine. What truly enlivens a gathering is not the drink, but the spirit of understanding and laughter shared among people. So, the next time you raise your glass, let it be a gesture of empathy, not expectation—a celebration of freedom, friendship, and respect that leaves no one behind.
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Moy Kok Ming (moykokming@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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