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Jean Iau

Malaysia’s top state energy official has apologised after facing backlash at home for taking part in a champagne-spraying celebration at the Singapore Grand Prix, in the latest controversy over Islamic norms and the conduct of government-linked companies.
Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz, the president and group chief executive of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), joined the podium celebrations on Sunday as the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team – which the company sponsors – clinched a win in Singapore.
As George Russell hoisted the trophy following his victory ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris, Muhammad Taufik was seen spraying Moët champagne on the drivers and the crowd. Russell returned the favour, and the two later posed for photographs.
According to Malaysian news outlet Malay Mail, Muhammad Taufik on Tuesday said while he did not consume alcohol, his “exuberance may have been misplaced” and he should have been more aware of the “sensitivities associated with taking part in such celebrations” as a Muslim.
“Accordingly, I want to apologise for any unintended offence caused and take full responsibility for my actions.”

In Muslim-majority Malaysia, where alcohol consumption is prohibited for Muslims and public religious sensitivities run high, the images quickly stirred anger online.
The episode comes as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government faces challenges in balancing its modernisation drive and global partnerships with the conservative expectations of its Malay-Muslim support base, which accounts for about 60 per cent of the country’s 34 million population.
While non-alcoholic drinks are used at races in Muslim-majority countries such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, champagne is used at the Singapore Grand Prix as the country operates as a secular state.
This Week in Asia has contacted Petronas for comment.
Reaction on social media was mixed. Some users slammed Muhammad Taufik for taking part in the champagne shower, with one calling it “utter[ly] disgusting for a Muslim CEO to act that way representing a company with a Muslim-Majority country”.
Another user drew reference to Tourism Minister Tiong King Sing, who was accused by critics on both sides of the political divide of disrespecting Malay sensibilities and Islam’s status as the country’s official religion by allowing alcohol to be served at the Global Travel Meet 2025 gala dinner last week.

Tiong clarified that all food and drink at the gala dinner were not under the purview of Tourism Malaysia, but that failed to quell the backlash, including from government ally the United Malays National Organisation, which warned against “normalising alcohol” at government events.
Other users thought the latest incident involving Muhammad Taufik was being blown out of proportion, with one noting that he did not appear to drink the champagne. “So why is it Haram? Just spraying onto non Muslim as part of the tradition. I don’t see any wrong here,” the user wrote.
Malaysia Gazette reported on Tuesday that the youth wing of Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Bersatu) issued a statement condemning the incident, saying it was insensitive for a Malay Muslim leader representing a government-linked company to participate in an alcohol-related celebration.
Alcohol use could not be normalised in the government or government-related companies, and Muhammad Taufik should have left the podium while the champagne shower was going on and returned to take pictures, the statement said.
The youth group urged Anwar to give a final warning to all ministries, agencies and government-linked companies to uphold the country as a Muslim-majority nation.


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Malaysia’s Petronas CEO apologises for Singapore GP champagne shower after backlash

Race winner George Russell (centre) of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, Petronas CEO Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz (left) and third-placed Lando Norris of McLaren celebrate on the podium with champagne during the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday. Photo: Formula 1 via Getty Images

Mercedes’ George Russell (second from right) celebrates on the podium after winning the Singapore Grand Prix alongside Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Petronas CEO Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz. Photo: Reuters

Tourism Minister Tiong King Sing was accused of disrespecting Malay sensibilities and Islam’s status as Malaysia’s official religion by allowing alcohol to be served at the Global Travel Meet 2025 gala dinner last week. Photo: Facebook

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Malaysian MP Tiong King Sing (centre) pictured at an event with alcohol in 2016. Photo: Facebook/Adam.Yii

Global Travel Meet 2025 participants pose for a photo at the gala dinner. Photo: Facebook/Sam’s Travel & Tours

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Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz was seen spraying champagne on the drivers and the crowd on the F1 podium in Singapore


Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz was seen spraying champagne on the drivers and the crowd on the F1 podium in Singapore.


Malaysia’s Petronas CEO apologises for Singapore GP champagne shower after backlash

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz was seen spraying champagne on the drivers and the crowd on the F1 podium in Singapore

Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz was seen spraying champagne on the drivers and the crowd on the F1 podium in Singapore