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PETALING JAYA: Those who oppose the sale of alcohol in supermarkets and other outlets are free to do so, but they have no right to resort to overbearing measures against sellers.
Instead, community leaders and elected representatives who are against such sales should engage the government for stricter enforcement, a consumer group said.
Commenting on the closure of the non-halal alcohol section at a Jaya Grocer store in Puncak Alam, the Consumers Movement of Malaysia (MCM) said it was the responsibility of the government to develop and enforce rules and regulations for the sale of alcohol. , adding that the established procedures were already very strict.
The group’s general secretary, Sukhdave Singh, said sectors of the community who oppose the sale of any product should either contract with the licensing authority or simply choose not to patronize those retailers. They should not resort to pushy actions.
“First of all, we want to make it clear that MCM does not condone the consumption of alcoholic beverages and we are all in favor of stricter regulations to prevent easy access.
“Putrajaya has already established strict rules for retailers selling both halal and non-halal items. Taking into account and respecting the sensitivity of Muslim consumers, alcoholic beverages are required to be segregated into non-halal sections, ”he said.
He also said that merchants would not sell alcohol if there was no demand in the community.
“Media reports indicate that the area in question has a 90% Malay-Muslim population, but we cannot deny 10% of the non-Muslim population their right to purchase alcoholic beverages, if they wish.
“Before selling alcoholic beverages, a retailer would need a permit, and in this case we assume that a permit has already been granted.”
Jeram Assemblyman Mohd Shaid Rosli had sparked controversy after submitting a memo to Jaya Grocer at Eco Grandeur, Puncak Alam, protesting against the sale of alcohol in the supermarket.
However, Shaid, who had left PPBM in August to align himself with Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, has now denied forcing the supermarket to close the section, saying he simply suggested it on behalf of the residents of Puncak Alam.
Sukhdave said that any elected representative, be it a parliamentarian or an assemblyman, must work in the interest of all community members in his constituency, not just a selected group.
He added that the assemblyman should have achieved a balance between all the communities in his constituency, instead of listening to just one section.
“Every elected representative or community leader must accept the fact that Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-religious country with individual rights guaranteed by our Federal Constitution. It must be respected.
“Only then will we be able to achieve greater unity and harmony to ensure the progress of our nation,” he said.
