KUALA LUMPUR – Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Tiong King Sing has called out the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) for what he describes as misplaced priorities in its recent enforcement efforts on alcohol possession among private citizens.
Instead of focusing on the rampant smuggling of untaxed and potentially dangerous liquor flooding Malaysia’s black market, Customs appears to be more interested in raiding private homes and issuing vague warnings, said Tiong.
“The Customs Department should concentrate its efforts on cracking down on alcohol smuggling, not inspecting private citizens’ personal collections,” the minister said in a Facebook post on August 27.
The catalyst for his statement was a recent advisory from the RMCD suggesting that individuals who keep “too many” bottles of liquor at home could be violating the law: a claim that has sparked confusion and backlash from the public.
Misleading the Public?
Under the Excise Act 1976, Tiong pointed out, owning alcohol for personal use is not illegal. However, the RMCD’s phrasing, stating that doing so “might“ be against the law, was, in his view, both misleading and fearmongering.
“The use of ambiguous language like ‘might be illegal’ only serves to confuse the public and criminalise legitimate behaviour,” he said. “It erodes public trust in existing laws.”
He questioned whether enforcement officers genuinely believed that owning a large liquor collection automatically implied intent to sell, a flawed assumption, he argued, that ignores the nuances of private collecting.
“If that’s the logic, then what about people who collect shoes or action figures? Should they be licensed too?”
Private Collections vs Illegal Trade
Tiong defended Malaysians who collect rare or vintage spirits, noting that many do so for cultural, personal, or social reasons, such as sharing drinks with friends or maintaining family traditions.
He slammed Customs for pushing the unrealistic expectation that individuals should keep receipts for alcohol purchases for up to seven years.
“This isn’t practical for the average household,” he said. “And what’s the point when the bottles themselves already carry tax stamps proving their legitimacy?”
Furthermore, many of these so-called “excessive” collections were either family heirlooms or bulk purchases made for cost efficiency, not resale. “This overreach by enforcement officers risks criminalising innocent citizens,” he warned.
The Real Threat: Untaxed and Unsafe Booze
The Minister’s core concern lies with what he sees as Customs’ failure to tackle the real threat: the continued influx of untaxed, counterfeit, and potentially harmful alcohol into the market.
“Why is it so hard to catch smugglers but so easy to target private citizens?” he asked. “This approach wastes public resources and raises suspicion about hidden motives.”
He reminded authorities that smuggled alcohol isn’t just illegal; it’s dangerous. Substandard or unregulated spirits have, in past cases, led to severe health complications and even death.
Tiong questioned whether current enforcement strategies were really protecting the public or merely giving the illusion of action while the real culprits operate undisturbed.
Call for Policy Reform
As a senior member of the Cabinet, Tiong’s criticism carries weight. He concluded by urging the RMCD to refocus its enforcement agenda, aligning it with public safety and common sense rather than outdated enforcement tactics.
“Malaysians pay taxes expecting the government to solve real problems, not to knock on doors counting bottles,” he said.
His statement reflects growing public frustration over perceived bureaucratic overreach and a lack of meaningful reform in enforcement practices. The post has since gone viral on social media, with many netizens echoing his sentiment: “Focus on the real criminals, not hobbyists at home.” -MalayaDailyToday
