KUALA LUMPUR – Following Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) decision to prohibit liquor sales at grocery, convenience, and Chinese medicine stores, more local councils are now purportedly considering similar bans.
According to Associated Liquor Merchants Association president Leong Keng Mun, some local governments have given an indication that they might go down a similar route.
Speaking at a virtual press conference organised by Industries Unite today, Leong said this is based on feedback by members of the association after their liquor licence renewals had been put on hold.
“We are getting word that certain councils will do what DBKL is doing. This is the information our members have been feeding to us.
“This is the case in Kuala Kubu Baru where members have already submitted their forms to renew their licences, but the local council refuses to allow them to make payments.
“When asked why, the reply given was ‘let’s wait and see what the federal territory is doing first’.”
Kuala Kubu Baru falls under the jurisdiction of the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council.
DBKL had in November last year announced that beginning October 1, 2021, grocery and convenience stores – as well as Chinese medicine halls – will not be allowed to sell alcohol beverages in their premises.
The council on September 30 postponed the prohibition to November 1, to allow for a study on controlling liquor sales in the federal capital to be finalised.
Leong said he fails to understand DBKL’s rationale behind the sales ban on smaller businesses, and not instead making it across the board for all premises selling alcohol.
“Supermarkets and hypermarkets are still allowed to sell the drinks. So, why target the ban on just a class of business?
“This (sales of liquor) is an important revenue stream for these small businesses. Taking away their rights to sell can severely affect their sustainability.
“Also, let’s not take away the rights of non-Muslims to support local businesses in purchasing their alcoholic beverages.”
Leong said the decision by DBKL is very much misaligned with the “Keluarga Malaysia” spirit championed by the federal government. – The Vibes, October 30, 2021
