KUALA LUMPUR – Has the air of confusion over the sale of alcohol and liquor throughout the current lockdown finally been cleared or raised more questions?
The response from Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid may have more people scratching their heads.
It appears there is a measure of selectiveness in what is forbidden and what is not.
Confirming that the sale of alcoholic beverages at any premises is prohibited, Rosol said: “This is because liquor is categorised as a non-essential item by the National Security Council (NSC).”
However, he said, cigarettes, which are also not listed as essential, can be sold during this period to cater to the needs of those with a smoking addiction.
Speaking to The Vibes, Rosol said all business premises, not just liquor and wine stores, are barred from selling alcohol.
“Yes, they can’t be sold throughout this movement control order (MCO) period,” he said when contacted today.
“We are just following the standard operating procedures (SOPs) provided by the NSC. The government has given the order, so we have to abide by it.”
Rosol said this rule similarly applies to all other non-essential items, which also cannot be sold in any premises.
Asked to clarify why cigarettes are still up for sale, he said: “Although they are non-essential under (the SOPs from the) NSC, they are still ‘essential’ to cigarette addicts.”
“We can’t stop its sale, otherwise there will be problems. Only smokers will understand. Without cigarettes, it will be a huge burden for them,” he said.
When it was pointed out that cigarettes are categorised as non-essential like alcohol, Rosol explained that its sale is still allowed as it is not included in the government’s negative list.
According to the latest SOPs by the NSC, only the operation of “alcohol stores and factories” are strictly prohibited under the current MCO.
The SOPs also state that supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores, mini marts and department stores can only sell food, beverages and basic necessities, and that all other activities not listed are not allowed.
This would have meant cigarettes, too, should have been prohibited.
For the record, in 2017, Malaysia collected RM3.94 billion in sin tax from cigarettes and tobacco products, compared to RM1.92 billion from alcoholic beverages.
Earlier today, when asked for clarification if the sale of alcohol is allowed in supermarkets and other stores, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri said the matter must be referred to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, as it specifically handles the retail sector.
Previously, there had been confusion over whether liquor can be sold during the lockdown, after the NSC only initially banned the operations of alcohol factories.
Yesterday, Brickfields police had ordered a store solely selling liquor in Bangsar to shut after it was found to be operating under an authorisation letter by the International Trade and Industry Ministry.
Brickfields police chief Anuar Omar later clarified to The Vibes that the action was based on SOPs set by NSC, which does not list alcohol as an essential item. – The Vibes, June 4, 2021
