Recently, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) announced a sales restriction on hard liquor within the city of Kuala Lumpur whereby starting October next year, sundry shops, grocery stores, convenience stores and Chinese medicine shops can no longer sell hard liquor products. As of right now, these premises can only renew their hard liquor licences up until 30 September 2021.
This move was backed up by the Federal Territories Minister, Tan Sri Annuar Musa who iterate that the decision was final. Well, it looks like this move may not be in place within just Kuala Lumpur or other Malaysian Federal Territories as today the government said there are considering expanding the ruling to other states as well.
As reported by national news agency Bernama, the ban on the sale of liqour at certain premises in other Malaysian states other than the Federal Territories could not be ruled out.
Ahmad Marzuk speaking in Parliament.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said that he welcomed his fellow Cabinet member Annuar Musa’s latest ruling in disallowing liquor sale in Kuala Lumpur. The Deputy Minister also claimed that the move was met with positive feedback from civil society, including Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Ahmad Marzuk asserted,
“Currently, the ban is only applicable to the Federal Territories, but we do not rule out the possibility that it will be expanded to other places.”
The Deputy Minister also said that although there were a few dissenting voices, the majority of feedback on the ruling was positive. He also claimed that Malaysia is falling behind in terms of controlling the sale of liquor and compared our laws with that of Singapore’s. He continued,
“If we look at our neighbouring country such as Singapore, it has stricter rules involving several restrictions. However, this is a very good start even though it is only implemented in the Federal Territories thus far.”
Furthermore, Ahmad Marzuk urged Malaysians to support the government’s holistic strategy on controlling the sale of liquor regardless of race, religion or political affiliation. The PAS Member of Parliament for Pengkalan Chepa also stressed that this move is not a political agenda as some claimed.
What do you guys think of this development? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Also read: “The decision is final!” Annuar Musa Says There’s No Changes In Alcohol Selling Ban
