Please don't turn Labuan into another Kelantan
Published on: Friday, August 03, 2018
Labuan: Both PKR and Parti Warisan Sabah here described the PAS proposal to abolish the sales of alcoholic beverages in Labuan as certain to burst the local economy.PKR Chief Simsuddin Sidek said Labuan is a financial as well an oil and gas hub and the sales of alcoholic beverages were compatible to the island's free-ports status.Scores of boats dot the harbour, Labuan is the preferred destination for rest and recreation not only for ship crew but also others including from the mainland.
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He was commenting on a PAS suggestion that the sale of booze conveyed a negative image of the island and that consumption of liquor/wine was not encouraged in any religion."Labuan needs such visitiors from near and far to sustain its local economy, people don't come to Labuan to see sunsets and visits history-related sites. They want a break and cheap booze was an attractive perk for visiting the island."Simsuddin added PAS should take note of the reality that in all its four electoral outings here the party had performed miserably and was rejected even by most Malays. The situation is same for PAS in the pensula, the result show that PAS clearly had no majority support as such it should not be dictating its ways here."
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Warisan Information Chief Julius Elias said he begged to differ on PAS opinion that all religions don't involve drinking. He said in Christianity there are references to drinking wine. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Julius also noted that the entertainment industry of which duty-free and pub outlets are a component provide jobs to hundreds including in logistic support services, port activities and help bring customers to local hotels and restaurants. - Sohan Das
