Focus on your job scope, Teresa Kok tells environment minister on “Timah” issue

31 October 2021 By Farah Salim KUALA LUMPUR: Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has been urged to create awareness on environment protection and climate change, instead of sensationalising trivial issue, particurlarly on the local liquor “Timah” that has made rounds in the Parliament and social media lately. DAP’s Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said the minister should be upholding the objectives and functions of the ministry to enhance public awareness on environment protection and climate change, and not to overdramatise racial- and religion-based issues. Tuan Ibrahim who is also the Deputy President of PAS recently mentioned that the Cabinet has agreed to bar the production of goods with brand names that can affect the sensitivities of any race or religion, following the controversy over the name of the whiskey. “I read his statement with great amusement. I also wonder whether Tuan Ibrahim understand the global and local challenges of his own ministry in the government and whether he is committed to the causes too. “Today the world top leaders and ministers of environment of the world are attending the 26th Session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change or COP 26 in Glasgow, Scotland. “These environment ministers are discussing how to reduce carbon emissions and contain temperature rise at 2°C if not 1.5°C by the end of the century. “However, our Malaysian Environment Minister Tuan Ibrahim is not only absent in this important world environment conference, his major concern in the country now is not on climate change but is on the name of a locally-produced whiskey and the names of other consumer’s products,” she said in a statement. Kok was referring to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties taking place in Glasglow, Scotland from Oct 31 to Nov 12. “Is the name of a Malaysian whiskey going to cause the increase of carbon emissions in Malaysia or pollute the water sources in Malaysia?” she asked, sarcastically. “As Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri has said all cabinet ministers will be evaluated within 100 days, I wonder what will be the performance report of Tuan Ibrahim. “Is he going to present the list of the brand names of the products which sound sensitive to Muslims and bar them to be sold in the market as his KPI for 100 days as Minister of Environment and Water?” Several MPs from the government and opposition bloc had criticised the whisky brand as it sounds very similar to a Muslim female name, Fatimah. Following the controversy, Domestic and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi announced that the brand company has agreed to consider changing the name and logo of its product.