Former Selangor Bar chief V Kokila Vaani said alcohol, if served, is always sponsored by private entities or individuals.

Kokila Vaani, now an elected council member, said claims circulating via a WhatsApp message making its rounds among lawyers alleging that “hundreds of thousands of ringgit” are being spent to serve alcohol at Bar events were false.

The message, from an unnamed source, wants Muslim lawyers to come out in full force at the Malaysian Bar’s annual general meeting on Saturday.

They are being asked to vote in favour of a motion brought by the Kedah state bar committee to ban the serving of alcohol at all Bar events.

“A previous motion was tabled in 2017 by the late Amir Bahari, but it did not succeed because the number of Muslim lawyers was low,” the message read.

Commenting on the motion, Kokila Vaani said the Federal Constitution reflects the aspirations of a multicultural and multiracial society.

“We must look at our basic freedom of choice and respect all the freedoms guaranteed under the constitution,” she told FMT.

“We must not support any discrimination against another’s right to consume alcohol. We have our own religious beliefs and we must respect that of others.”

She said lawyers are always expected to behave with dignity and decorum, respecting their role as upholders of the law and defenders of justice.

“When I was the Selangor Bar chair, the cost of serving alcoholic beverages was always borne by sponsors. Members’ subscription money would never be used for this,” she said.

“We have always had the sensitivities of our Muslim members in mind, and respected them. Hence, we have always made sure our members’ money was never used to purchase and serve alcohol in state Bar committee events.”

On Monday, FMT reported that the proposed motion states that alcohol consumption has well-documented health risks, including liver disease, addiction and adverse mental health effects.

It said the presence of alcohol at events organised by the Malaysian Bar and state Bar committees may contribute to unprofessional behaviour and create potential liabilities for the organisation.

The motion said the presence of alcohol at such events does not align with the organisation’s commitment to promoting a healthy and supportive atmosphere for its members.

The motion also said the exclusion of alcohol and intoxicant substances may reduce the discomfort and awkwardness experienced by certain segments of members, especially Muslim lawyers.