An Alcohol-Free MAS?
Fresh from
the Budget 2026 revelation of an impending
10% sin tax hike effective Nov 1, there is now renewed call to ban alcohol on board the national flag
carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS). Apparently, Perikatan Nasional (PN) Hulu
Selangor MP Mohd Hasnizan Harun has mooted a blanket ban on booze on all MAS
flights when debating on the Supply (Budget) Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat on
Oct 13.
PAS Youth
had in 2017 urged MAS to stop serving alcohol completely following a bomb
scare which
forced flight MH128 which was bound from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne to make an
emergency landing on May 31 that year after a 25-year-old Sri Lankan national
tried to enter the cockpit while claiming to have a bomb. The man was detained by the
Australian police who said they did not believe the incident was linked to
terrorism (nor alcohol) but instead citied mental health issues.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org
Fully-shariah compliant airlines is not a new concept. Malaysia’s first Islamic airline, Rayani Air, lasted a mere five months before folding due to management, safety and security issues, pilot strikes and lack of funding.
Rayani Air prior to its June 13, 2016, shut down was the world’s 4th fully-shariah compliant airline after Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA), Saudi Arabian Airlines and Iran Air. Malaysia may be oil-rich, but our airline industry may not be in the same league as those airlines mentioned. We could of course do like the banks --- have an Islamic subsidiary that fully complies to Shariah. So, MAS could create an Islamic airline as a subsidiary and fly to those halal destinations?
Aviation industry is a highly competitive venture. With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY 2026), economic realities will have to dictate the scenario as unpleasant as that may sound to certain ears. Alcohol-abstinent passengers are free to choose which airline they wish to use or even consider alternative modes of transport if this issue is such a sticking point. As for crew members, perhaps they need to consider alternative employment if it goes against their personal beliefs.
The alarming trend of late is how much attention is being focused on booze. Whether it is a minister having a toast at a gala dinner or the right to enjoy an in-flight drink, it is being played up as an affront to sensitivities of the majority. Some have even suggested that cendol be served instead of alcohol! We need to focus on bigger issues such as improving the quality of service to ensure VMY 2026 is a success. It is often claimed that alcohol dulls the senses but, in this instance, it has further diluted the issues that need our real attention.
Reference:
PN lawmaker’s call for
alcohol-free MAS flights ignores secular skies, commercial realities, Teetotal Flyer, Letter
to Editor, Focus Malaysia, 14 October 2025
