KUALA LUMPUR – Former Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has spoken out in defence of Petronas President and Group Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik, following the public backlash over the latter’s participation in a champagne celebration at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The incident, in which Taufik was seen holding a bottle of champagne on the podium, sparked widespread criticism.
Many questioned the appropriateness of his involvement in the post-race festivities.
However, Zaid on social media platform X, argues that the backlash reveals a deeper societal hypocrisy and misplaced moral outrage.
Tengku Taufik, who had been invited to the podium as a representative of Petronas, the title sponsor of Mercedes-AMG Petronas, issued an apology for what he described as a moment of “exuberance.”
Despite his apology, Zaid contends that the CEO’s actions were misinterpreted.
“He wasn’t drinking champagne; he was celebrating a world-class event where Petronas played a key role. Yet, he was cornered by the hypocrisy of a community that confuses symbolic sin with real sin,” Zaid wrote in a post on social media platform X.
Zaid’s defence extends beyond the incident itself. He highlighted the inconsistency in public outrage, pointing out that while Malaysians expressed anger over a symbolic gesture, far more serious ethical violations often go unchallenged.
“The same society that condemned him remains silent when our government colluded with national footballers to cheat FIFA by falsifying their documents. That, somehow, is forgivable. But a man holding a bottle of champagne he didn’t drink becomes a national scandal,” Zaid remarked.
The former minister’s comments reflect a growing frustration with what he sees as an “inversion of morality” in Malaysian society. He argues that the focus on appearances, rather than substance, has distorted public understanding of right and wrong.
“We have become a people more obsessed with appearances than ethics. We don’t feel the same outrage when politicians lie or plunder billions, or when athletes falsify records, or when officials abuse their power. But a mere image of wine celebration triggers pious outrage,” Zaid lamented.
Zaid also drew attention to the religious context, noting that Islam condemns hypocrisy far more severely than symbolic acts such as the splashing of wine.
“Islam does not ask us to perform morality; it asks us to live it,” he explained.
According to Zaid, in Malaysia, it is often the pretence of piety that is rewarded, while genuine integrity is overlooked.
As the team’s title sponsor, Tengku Taufik joined the podium celebrations and accepted the Winning Constructor Trophy on behalf of Petronas. During the event, he was seen celebrating alongside the Mercedes team, including being sprayed with champagne – a customary part of the post-race rituals.
Tengku Taufik acknowledged that his actions were spontaneous, but recognised that they could have been “misplaced” given the sensitivities involved.
“While I can categorically state I did not consume any alcohol, as a Muslim, I should have been more aware of the sensitivities associated with taking part in such celebrations,” he said.
“Accordingly, I want to apologise for any unintended offence caused and take full responsibility for my actions.”
The Petronas CEO also expressed his appreciation for the ongoing public support for the company’s involvement in Formula One, highlighting the sport as “the pinnacle of motorsport competition.”
He expressed confidence that the company’s future achievements, particularly in the era of sustainable fuels, would showcase Malaysia’s innovation and capabilities.
Petronas has been a key technical partner and title sponsor for Mercedes-AMG Petronas for over a decade, contributing significantly to the team’s success in Formula One.
The Singapore Grand Prix victory marked an important milestone in their partnership this season. – October 8, 2025