Give An Inch Take A Mile Pas Cries Foul With Serving Of Alcohol At Ipoh S St Michael S Alumni Gathering

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EXCEPT that the event was held at their alma mater in Ipoh, the Old Michaelian’s Association’s (OMA) 90th Annual Reunion Banquet 2025 was entirely a private affair.
But inevitably emboldened by its recent victory of pressuring the Madani government for a blanket alcohol ban across all government events, PAS must have felt that its moral policing is applicable so long as there is a loophole to capitalise upon.
Henceforth, the recent gathering of St Michael’s Institution old boys was an easy target just because the social event was staged at the school’s compound to reflect past affiliation/loyalty just as would any other old boys’ gatherings, be it Old Xavierian or Old Lasallian.

But poked its nose it has to as the Islamist party’s Parit MP Muhammad Ismi Taib picked a bone with the organiser that the event attended by some 800 old boys was “smeared by an alcoholic party within the school compound”.
But unlike the so-called free flow wine gaffe at Tourism Malaysia’s Global Travel Meet gala dinner at Sunway Resort Hotel, the OMA event was a non-government affair with the distinction of it being held at the premises of St Michael’s Institution to rekindle brotherhood, tradition and the unbreakable OMA spirit

“This act is deeply regrettable and completely unacceptable,” fumed Ismi on his Facebook page. “Schools should be a field for the formation of character, morality and knowledge, not a place for activities that contradict religious, ethical and educational values.”

Interestingly, while calling for thorough investigation and drastic action to be taken on the school’s administration for having breached existing guidelines by authorising such event, the first term PAS lawmaker went on to emphasis that even non-Muslim faiths are against the consumption of alcohol:
In Islam, alcohol is clearly forbidden because it is intoxicating and mind-numbing as Allah SWT says in Surah Al-Ma’idah verse 90 which states that alcohol is “an impurity from the work of Satan”.In Christian teachings, many sects advise their followers not to get drunk as mentioned in Ephesians 5:18: “Do not get drunk with wine for wine is debauchery but be filled with the Spirit”.In Buddhism, the consumption of intoxicating drinks is included in the Five Precepts – that is to avoid substances that cause loss of consciousness and corrupt the mind.In Hinduism, the holy book Manusmriti states that alcohol darkens the mind and distances a person from moral purity and self-discipline.Detractors strike back
The most striking critic to PAS’ latest moral policing tirade seemed to have come from social news portal The Coverage which lamented that “instead of letting (the OMA) alumni reminisce and re-connect, the Parit MP’s FB post has turned a private, non-official affair into a political lightning rod”.
“If PAS is sincerely against alcohol as ‘an impurity from the work of Satan’, it should demand the separation of alcohol-related taxes from national coffers, particularly funds used for Muslim and Bumiputera development. Anything less is just political posturing,” asserted the portal allegedly owned by an MCA-related businessman.

The most notable sting The Coverage inflicted on PAS is perhaps the very fact that “St Michael’s legacy outdates PAS”:
Founded in 1912, St Michael’s has been a beacon of Catholic education for 113 years with its OMA reunion tradition spanning 90 years.
Formed in 1951, PAS is a relative newcomer by comparison. A 90-year tradition of adult alumni gathering to celebrate their school’s heritage deserves respect, not political interference.
Held after hours, this was a private event for adult ex-students – many in their 30s, 50s, or older – to celebrate their alma mater. The reunion’s 90-year history reflects its cultural significance to the Michaelian community, not a platform for PAS to score political points.
In the comment section of Ismi’s FB post, a presumed Christian lady further chided the Muslim scholar to “get it right before quoting the Bible”.
From a Christian point of view:
 Drinking in moderation can be acceptable.
 Getting drunk or addicted is sinful because it clouds judgment and leads one away from God.
That’s why in many churches, wine is used in Holy Communion – symbolising the blood of Christ, not for pleasure but for remembrance and reverence.
 Ephesians 5:18 – “Do not get drunk on wine which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
It means don’t be drunk, not that alcohol is prohibited. Get your interpretation of the Bible right. 

 - Focus Malaysia

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