KUCHING: Craft beer producer Zebrew has withdrawn its Santubong-branded product from the market following strong reactions from the public.
In a statement, the company said it decided after “much thought” that the name and product would no longer be used going forward, and the item had been removed from shelves.
“Due to the overwhelming response and attention around the name ‘Santubong’, we have decided to mark history with this product,” Zebrew stated.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister, who is the Santubong Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, welcomed the move, saying the use of the name had clearly disregarded the sensitivities of the Santubong community, the majority of whom are Muslims.
“Alhamdulillah. The product using the name ‘Santubong’ has been withdrawn. Thank you to everyone who worked together in raising this issue to protect our community’s sensitivities,” she said in a Facebook statement.
Meanwhile, the Santubong community also voiced appreciation over the decision, stressing that the name represented their heritage, customs and dignity, and should not be linked to alcohol.
They said Santubong could be commercialised, but only in ways that respected religious and cultural sensitivities.
The community expressed hope that the incident would serve as a lesson to uphold respect for local identity and heritage.
