KUCHING: Stampin Member of Parliament (MP), Chong Chieng Jen, has been urged to stop politicising the ‘Santubong beer’ issue, saying it is just an insensitive marketing choice made by a company.
Kota Sentosa Assemblyman, Wilfred Yap Sau Sin, said it must be reminded that for decades, Sarawakians of all faiths have lived side by side in peace and harmony, and the harmony was built on a foundation of mutual respect for each other’s cultures and beliefs.
“When a concern is raised by a community about the inappropriate use of a name or symbol closely associated with them, it is the duty of leaders to listen and resolve,” he said in a statement.
Yap said it is important for the public to understand that the beer was not brewed in Santubong; it was brewed in Sibu.
“The producers deliberately chose the name ‘Santubong’ for branding and marketing, because Santubong is an iconic Sarawak landmark tied to folklore, tourism and culture.
“However, this decision was misguided. If the brewer truly wanted to honour local heritage, it would have been far more appropriate to use a name closer to their home base in Sibu, where the beer is actually made.
“By using ‘Santubong’, which is also the name of a Muslim-majority constituency, the company showed insensitivity to local realities and caused unnecessary offence. This was not about protecting culture; it was about a careless marketing choice that could have been easily avoided,” he said.
He also criticised Chong for comparing Santubong MP, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, to a West Malaysian politician.
“Chong is wrong to accuse Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leaders like Nancy of importing Peninsular-style politics.
“What she did was simply to voice the genuine concerns of the Santubong community of whom she represents. Respecting those concerns is not weakness, nor is it ‘hypersensitivity’. It is Sarawakian maturity – the ability to resolve issues before they divide us,” he said.
“His statement suggests that the commercial interests of a beer company are more important than the sensitivities of a community.
“This dismissive attitude can only create distrust between communities and undo the very tolerance he claims to champion,” Yap said.
He also stressed that GPS leaders have always taken a balanced approach – upholding development, promoting Sarawak’s identity, while respecting the beliefs of all our people.
“Sarawak tuak, for example, is proudly promoted as part of our heritage, but it is never marketed in a way that disrespects or provokes any community. This is the difference between responsible leadership and reckless politicking,” he said.
As elected representatives, he said, is it their duty is to strengthen Sarawak’s unity, not to play politics with sensitive issues.
“Sarawakians do not want divisive rhetoric imported from Peninsular Malaysia. But neither do Sarawakians want leaders who are blind to the feelings of their neighbours,” he said.
He therefore called on Chong to stop stoking unnecessary tension, emphasising that true tolerance means living in harmony through understanding and mutual respect.
