KUALA LUMPUR – Tiger Beer has denied making charitable donations to Chinese schools, amid a brouhaha over the brewery brand’s logo on a mock cheque at a vernacular Chinese school’s fundraising event in Selangor recently.
Claiming that its role in the Chinese Education Charity Concert (CECC) merely concerns performing artists, Tiger Beer claimed its communications are also limited to the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) and its board members.
“The CECC has been in existence for 30 years. Its mission is to be a platform for the local communities to help raise funds for upgrading Chinese school facilities,” Tiger Beer said in a statement today.
“As an alcohol brand, we do not make any monetary contributions to the school…to date, more than RM413 million has been raised by local communities through the CECC platform, without any donations from our beer brand to the schools.”
“Our role in the CECC is solely in presenting local performing artists for the concert that is organised for the donors.”
It added that CECC organisers have always been mindful of ensuring that all its programmes and activities are respectful of religious and cultural sensitivities while maintaining compliance with local regulations.
PAS previously took issue with images of Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu and Sg Pelek assemblyman Lwi Kian Keong receiving the mock cheque for RM3 million at a fundraiser for SJK (C) Tche Min in Sungai Pelek, Selangor last week.
While the Education Ministry said it was probing the incident, Education Deputy Minister Wong Kah Woh had criticised PAS for raising the issue, accusing the party of distorting facts and playing up racial sentiments.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, who is also transport minister, had previously said he would seek a cabinet review on revising the Education Ministry’s guidelines against schools receiving funds generated from the sale of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.
While Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil told a post-cabinet meeting press conference yesterday that the Education Ministry will clarify issues on the matter, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has yet to issue a statement. – July 25, 2024