[UPDATED] Don’t enforce beer licence circular until MoF update, Guan Eng tells local councils

GEORGE TOWN – Until details from the Finance Ministry have been released, Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng has called on local councils not to cooperate with the federal circular on beer licensing enforcement on all coffee shops and restaurants.

In a press conference at the Penang DAP headquarters here today, he lambasted the circular as “unwarranted and unjustified” as it will affect the lifestyles of non-Muslims.

“This limitation will affect the rights of non-Muslims and our lifestyle. There have been no problems since before gaining independence. 

“Why further divide Malaysians by enforcing this licensing requirement, which will also burden the business community during the pandemic?”

In a circular issued by several local authorities in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor by the Customs Department, it said liquor licences will be enforced in all restaurants and coffee shops. However, Lim said Penang’s local government has yet to receive it.

“The licence to sell alcohol in coffee shops at RM1,300 does not make sense, especially when the people are struggling economically.

“Their margin for profit is so small, what are they going to earn? Most of these shops will end up giving up on selling the beer and stout.

“And what about the people in Sarawak, those who live in the longhouses who supply alcoholic beverages? These people will have to pay to get the licence, too.”

He said this infringes on the lifestyles of non-Muslims since before the country’s independence.

In response, DAP will have lawyers, for example, Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer, look into this issue. 

Lim also questioned whether the licensing requirement is a coincidence, since PAS is in government.

He said even Chinese medicine halls – that used to sell alcohol-related products for health purposes – have been restricted under the new regulations.

“Selling beer and stout in coffee shops has never been an issue, because only non-Muslims purchase them.

“So, I ask that this enforcement be revised. Before, and when I was finance minister, there was no such thing. This is only happening during the ‘backdoor government’s’ era.

“Beer and stout can be sold normally, and there is no need to inhibit sales by adding licensing charges,” he said.

He said the licensing fee is no small feat for businesses, although it may be insignificant for the federal government to collect. – The Vibes, December 6, 2021