SIGC reverses decision to ban alcohol.
Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun yesterday said he would resign as Seremban International Golf Club (SIGC) president after members voted against his decision to ban beer in the club’s premises.
The Negri Sembilan mentri besar was quoted as saying he would tender his resignation to the management of the club soon, The Star reported.
“I have decided to resign following the decision by the members.”
Last Friday, Aminuddin had threatened to quit when some SIGC members opposed his decision to impose the beer ban.
The club had served beer prior to August last year. However, a ban came into effect in August after Aminuddin took office.
He felt serving liquor at the club where he was president was in conflict with his duties as chairman of the Negri Sembilan Islamic Action Committee.
It was reported that almost 135 members of the club had unanimously voted at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Sunday (Mar 24) to overturn Aminuddin’s ruling.
“The order for a ban was wrong because it was not passed by the members, which was why we called for an EGM. After a discussion, a decision was been [sic] made to withdraw the directive.
“The club committee has to accept and abide by the decision of the EGM,” SIGC member Shanjoy Roy Choudhury, formerly the club secretary, said in a report by The Malaysian Insight.
The alcohol ban was also apparently made against the will of the majority of the club’s members.
While the SIGC clubhouse and its sports facilities belong to the members, the 18-hole golf course is state-owned.
More than six decades old, the club has 1,500 members, mostly comprising civil servants, pensioners and private sector employees. Fewer than half are non-Muslims.
The club has a 63-year practice of selling and serving beer.
Since 1991, the mentri besar and the state secretary have automatically been elected as president and deputy president. The mentri besar also appoints the secretary, treasurer, club captain and five committee members.
Aminuddin said he respected the members’ decision.
“I have no issue. It is in their constitution,” he said.
“I will have no problem resigning, as I do not play golf,” he had earlier said.