Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has urged all parties not to blow out of proportion the issue of alcoholic beverages being served at an official event linked to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).
Kor Ming clarified that the Global Gala Dinner organised by Tourism Malaysia was, in fact, a private sector-led event held in collaboration with the government to celebrate international guests and key players in the global tourism industry.
He explained that such commercial, international-level events are common practice worldwide to welcome industry partners and should not be sensationalised — especially with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) just around the corner.
“All parties must understand that we are preparing to welcome tourists from all over the world, and blowing this issue out of proportion will only harm the nation,” he said during the World Habitat Day 2025 celebration in Malaysia today.
Kor Ming added that the event was not solely organised by the government but by private partners who sponsored and hosted the dinner to mark the success of Malaysia’s first-ever global tourism event of its kind.
Earlier, UMNO expressed strong objections to the serving of alcoholic drinks at the event, with party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressing that all official government functions must take into account the sensitivities of Muslims, as Islam is the official religion of the country.
Kor Ming, however, emphasized that the organisers respected religious sensitivities and did not compel any Muslim attendees to consume alcohol.
“The alcoholic beverages were provided exclusively for foreign guests,” he said, adding that mutual respect should go both ways — while Muslims’ beliefs are respected, non-Muslims should also be given freedom and space.
He said that Visit Malaysia Year 2026 calls for an open-minded and harmonious spirit among Malaysians of all races and religions.
“The slogan ‘Malaysia Truly Asia’ is not just words — it reflects our unity in diversity. Actions like this controversy only tarnish our image and harm the nation, especially as we gear up for VMY2026,” Kor Ming concluded.
