TIMAH Whiskey released a statement on Facebook after the Penang Consumers Association (CAP) called on the government to ban Malaysian-made whiskey. The education officer of CAP NV Subbarow criticized the relevant authorities for allowing the article to be sold in the country, said New times of the straits. According to the article, Subbarow said the brand name “Timah” insults the Muslim community because it resembles a Malay and Muslim name abbreviated from the name, “Fatima”. He also added that apart from the one containing alcohol, CAP could not understand “how such a brand and image is authorized in the first place” which, in his opinion, would spark an uproar among the population. , according to the article.

TIMAH responded to the allegations, adding that there had been misinformation circulating online. According to TIMAH, the name is a local meaning of the word “tin”. In fact, the name of TIMAH Whiskey recalls the era of tin mining in British Malaysia. The man depicted on the bottle is “Captain Speedy”, one of the men who introduced whiskey culture at the time. So, leading to the name, “TIMAH”. TIMAH also addressed this issue by saying it was never his intention to stir up controversy with his name.

After the publication of the Facebook post, some Internet users showed their support for the brand by reacting positively. According to Facebook comments, users said it was “a good name”, “a nice brand name” and personally saw “no problem with the brand name”. One user also posted a cheeky comment, stating that TIMAH should “thank them for the free publicity”, while another commented that “the elections must be near”.

This is not the first time that a brand has faced a conflict of opinions because it ignores certain communities in the region. Last month, foodpanda Malaysia came under fire with its recent Bollywood-inspired YouTube music video, “Pollywood”. The music video that faced the flak was created as a teaser for his campaign titled #TakkanTakTahu. However, the classified ad taken as a stand-alone ad by many was viewed as “ill-conceived”, “stereotypical” and “unrepresentative of Indian culture in general” by many Internet users in Malaysia.

More recently, tThe Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Content Forum (CMCF) also announced that it will conduct a public consultation to review and revise its 2020 content code. This includes opinions on restricting alcohol ads to certain mediums, influencer marketing, as well as paid space. in the TV news.

According to the CMCF, there were provisions prohibiting advertising of alcoholic beverages and spirits in the Content Code 2020. To level the playing field with print and online advertisers, the Content Code 2021 states that advertisements on Alcoholic beverages broadcast on electronic media based in Malaysia must be permitted.

However, advertising of alcoholic beverages is subject to strict restrictions (with clear provisions regarding age, prohibition for Muslims, responsible drinking messages) stipulated in the 2021 Content Code. authorized on electronic media, television and radio continue to be strictly prohibited from advertising intoxicating beverages, the CMCF said in its public consultation document.

First introduced by the CMCF in 2004, the Content Code contains guidelines and procedures governing standards and best practices for the delivery of content within the communications and multimedia industry. According to the CMCF, the 2021 content code will expand to cover all advertisements on the network medium, including those from online market operators and influencers, which were not specifically addressed in the 2020 content code.

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