Malaysia Airlines is facing growing scrutiny amid reports that it may implement a complete ban on in-flight alcohol. The debate follows renewed calls from conservative members of the Islamist party PAS, who are urging the carrier to stop serving alcoholic beverages and offer local drinks such as sirap bandung and cendol instead.
According to Travel Weekly Asia, over the past few years, Malaysia Airlines has faced rising calls to align with airlines from other Muslim-majority nations, such as Saudia, Kuwait Airways, and Air Arabia, that do not permit alcohol on their flights. In contrast, leading Middle Eastern airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways continue to offer alcoholic drinks onboard, keeping up the international air travel standards.
Malaysiakini reported that a PAS proposal in Parliament to prohibit alcohol service on the national carrier drew criticism from a Democratic Action Party (DAP) lawmaker, who argued that such a move would infringe on the rights of non-Muslims. The DAP representative suggested that PAS could instead establish its own airline if it wished to implement such restrictions, describing the proposal as undemocratic.
PARLIAMENT | A DAP lawmaker has poured cold water on PAS’ repeated call to ban alcohol on Malaysia Airlines, mockingly suggesting that the Islamist party instead start its own air service company.
— malaysiakini.com (@malaysiakini) October 22, 2025
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, backbencher Lim Lip Eng (Harapan-Kepong)… pic.twitter.com/0kCDMlYoNb
As of now, Malaysia Airlines has not announced any official policy change regarding in-flight alcohol. Reports indicate that discussions are ongoing amid pressure from political and religious groups, while the tourism industry continues to advocate for maintaining current standards.
Some experts have expressed concern that the move to eliminate alcohol service could negatively affect Malaysia’s tourism image and the competitiveness of its flag carrier. According to TravelMole, Malaysian Tourism Federation president Tan Kok Liang said that the availability of alcohol onboard is a normal international practice, which “global travellers expect”, adding that doing so does not make the airline culturally insensitive.
Head of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Nigel Wong, also warned that: “Malaysia is known as a moderate tourism country. We emphasise values like tolerance, acceptance, and inclusiveness. That’s what makes Malaysia so appealing as a tourism destination.”
The discussion comes at a time when Malaysia intensifies efforts to boost its global tourism profile, reporting a 20% rise in international arrivals between January and May 2025. After recently hosting World Tourism Day 2025, Malaysia showcased its ambitions as a global travel hub, promoting its goal of attracting 35.6 million visitors by 2026 through new initiatives and international partnerships. The country is also set to launch the world’s first Muslim-friendly cruise in November 2025, with the M/V Piano Land, a Chinese-operated vessel, offering halal food and alcohol-free beverages for passengers.
