PETALING JAYA: The call by the National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) for the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to look into handling of alcoholic beverages by Muslim cabin crew on airlines has been described as a move that could "clip the wings" of the country's commercial aviation industry, said MCA.
The party's Youth secretary-general Saw Yee Fung said being experienced in the industry, Nufam should instead propose for moves that could bring the industry to further heights.
She said such a proposal on the alcohol control by cabin crew and its enforcement would lead to the country's commercial airlines industry to lose its competitive advantage.
"Ultimately, the biggest losers would be the employees in the private aviation sector themselves.
"The free-flowing alcohol served onboard Arab-based airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways without interference from religious authorities is a passenger puller.
"Adapting to clients' needs rather than compelling customers to adopt one’s values will encourage travellers to fly with Malaysian-based airlines," she said in a statement.
Saw said Nufam as being experienced in the industry would have instead earned plaudits by suggesting measures to raise the competitiveness of Malaysia’s airline industry and draw tourists.
"This can be done by suggesting to travellers to take advantage of Malaysia’s weak ringgit and fly into and across destinations in Malaysia onboard our Malaysian-based airlines," she added.
Saw added that MCA Youth was not questioning the religious beliefs of any individual, but rather expressing that one’s personal beliefs should not be imposed in the workplace of politics.
"The growing trend towards conservatism in our country is becoming increasingly worrisome.
"Last week, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Islamic Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan remarked in Parliament that Jakim will consider a suggestion for convenience stores to use self-service machines to sell alcoholic beverages so that Muslim workers would not have to handle these items.
"Subsequently, Nufam also advocated for a universal prohibition of alcohol consumption on board flights - a proposal which will not bode positively for our aviation industry and downstream suppliers," she said.
Saw further reiterated that economic and business activities were objective issues which should not be entangled with personal beliefs, political stances, and other elements, adding that they are closely related to people's livelihoods and rice bowls.
Following the recent concert by singer Taylor Swift in Singapore, Saw said as Malaysia had missed out on it, Nufam could have instead proposed to the Transport Ministry to provide incentives to fly the artist or other big-name pop artists or West End or Broadway theatre companies and their entourages on board Malaysian-registered commercial air carriers.
"If the negotiations are successful, the montages of these celebrities could also be embellished on the aeroplanes flying them in.
"Travellers would then be attracted to fly in these Malaysian-registered aircraft, given their association with international celebrities," she said.
Saw said this government incentive could be similar to how the Singapore government reportedly offered between S$2mil to S$3mil per show in exchange for the exclusivity.
It was reported that Swift's recent exclusive performances in Singapore landed about RM1.7bil in financial bonanza for the island republic.
