[UPDATED] DBKL blocks liquor sales in marts, grocers, medicinal halls

KUALA LUMPUR – The city hall here will be imposing a ban on the sale of liquor at grocers, convenience stores, and Chinese medicinal shops starting today.

In a statement, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said customers can still purchase beer at the said premises, but they can only be sold from 7am to 9pm daily.

The ban was supposed to be enforced on October 1 following an announcement on the matter but DBKL had put it on hold pending a study.

On the new rules, DBKL instructed outlets to provide separate displays and sales areas for alcohol, which must be closed after the permitted hours.

Chinese medicinal halls, it said, must obtain approvals from the Health Ministry to sell mixed or pure liquor for medicinal purposes.

Pubs, bars, lounges, and restaurants with licences to sell alcohol will only be allowed to serve liquor between 10am and midnight.

However, DBKL said businesses can apply for a time extension until 2am only.

It added that warehouses that store, sell and supply beer for events must obtain a licence to sell liquor.

Meanwhile, shophouses, hotels, malls, supermarkets, and hypermarkets must also obtain the same licence to sell liquor, which must be displayed at the entrance of their premises at all times.

Additionally, the premises selling the liquor must not be within 100m of police stations, houses of worship, schools, hospitals, and residential houses.

DBKL also said the businesses selling liquor must display a QR code at the premises.

It added that only non-Muslims will be allowed to be applicants and licence holders and that the owners of business premises, sole proprietors, or partnerships and the majority of company board members must be non-Muslims.

Associated Liquor Merchants Association president Leong Keng Mun last Saturday said some local governments have given indication that they might go down a similar route.

Speaking at a virtual press conference organised by Industries Unite, he said this is based on feedback by members of the association after their liquor licence renewals had been put on hold.

He added that the decision by DBKL is very much misaligned with the Keluarga Malaysia spirit championed by the federal government.

“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 (KL) 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, grocery and convenience stores – as well as Chinese medicine halls – will not be allowed to sell alcohol beverages in their premises. – The Vibes, November 1, 2021