KUALA LUMPUR – The government has ordered all alcohol breweries to shut during the lockdown period from today to June 14.
Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said in a statement that alcohol breweries are not included in the list of essential services, adding that factories producing alcoholic beverages throughout the country will be forced to shut effective immediately.
However, other factories manufacturing food and beverage remain open.
During the first movement control order (MCO) implemented during March last year, alcohol breweries suspended operations.
For example, the approvals for the Heineken and Carlsberg breweries in Selangor to continue manufacturing operations during the first MCO were reportedly revoked in April last year.
However, criticism arose when the brewery obtained approval from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, which allowed it to resume operations on April 5.
Subsequently, the International Trade and Industry Ministry revoked approvals given to breweries the following day. – The Vibes, June 1, 2021
