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The sudden announcement by the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) imposing a ban on the sale of hard liquor in convenience stores, sundries and Chinese medicine rooms from October 1 of next year has taken many by surprise. concerned parties.
Unsurprisingly, there has been an outcry and most questioned the logic behind the implementation of the new guidelines in a multiracial country, especially in the capital city.
The affected companies said the decision would negatively affect their results.
Others supported the measure, saying reducing the easy availability of cheap liquor in neighborhood stores was a good move, as it had contributed to social problems.
Beer can still be sold in convenience stores, miscellaneous stores, and Chinese medicine aisles from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Simon Teh, a Taman United resident in Jalan Kelang Lama, was unhappy with DBKL’s decision.
“I enjoy wine and it is convenient to buy it at my local store.
“If this new rule is implemented next year, I have to go to the supermarket,” Teh said, adding that it meant that he would have to drive further rather than walk to a store in his neighborhood.
Shocked by the decision
One Chinese medicine parlor owner, who only wanted to be identified as Yean, described the decision to ban the sale of hard liquors as a knee-jerk decision without getting stakeholder feedback.
“We are always at the mercy of the authorities.
“I have been in this business for 27 years and I pay my taxes and all required fees to DBKL, including liquor license, premises license, sign fee, and appraisal taxes.
“I pay thousands of ringgit every year and it is not fair that we have no say in this important matter,” Yean said.
Another owner of a Chinese medicine hall, CY Yap, who operates in Jalan Kuchai Lama, said his shop was not near schools or temples.
Social problems like homelessness can be the result of alcohol abuse. – Filepic
“So why ban me from selling hard liquor, especially premium brands?” He asked.
Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai also criticized DBKL’s move.
He also expressed dissatisfaction with the local authority for not getting involved with the companies involved in the matter.
One of the largest alcohol distributors in the Klang Valley, HRZ Beverages Sdn Bhd General Manager Chang Sze Hou, said DBKL should have conducted a study before implementing the new ruling.
“This will affect local manufacturers who produce local compound liquor for Chinese medicine wards.
“If they stop selling it in the right place, this will mean the end of the road for them,” he said.
“Customers who buy alcohol in convenience stores often consume the drinks at home.
“What is the difference if they buy in supermarkets or convenience stores?” he questioned.
Chang says that most of the drinks bought in neighborhood stores are for home consumption.
Chang added that the authorities should go after the illegal manufacturers of cheap liquor who are the real culprits and cause of social problems.
KK Super Mart founder Datuk Seri Dr. KK Chai questioned the timing of the decision, when companies were severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The timing is inappropriate.
“People are losing their jobs, companies are closing and this also means a reduction in taxes for the government.
“This decision has far-reaching consequences.
“Staff will have to be laid off, delivery drivers will lose their jobs, distributors will also be affected.
“It is a chain reaction that will hurt many industries,” he said.
Selangor and the secretary of the Kuala Lumpur Chinese Wine and Spirits Merchants Association, Chooi Leong Peow, said it was unfair to implement a blanket ban.
He thinks the decision may be related to several incidents related to driving under the influence.
Chai feels the decision will have far-reaching consequences for the companies involved.
“For the Chinese, the liquor is served during celebrations, such as the Chinese New Year, weddings and other auspicious events.
“If someone drives when drunk, then it is a matter for the police.”
“This ban will affect the livelihood of many people, many companies will not survive if DBKL decides to go ahead with it,” said Chooi.
The president of the Selangor and Federal Territory Chinese Medicine Merchants Association, Loh Kim Fong, agreed with Chai and Chooi, adding that the ban would put many people out of business, especially small businesses.
“Our members are unmotivated and we feel powerless,” Loh said.
Elated by the news
Longtime Brickfields resident Dr. Christopher Nicholas is delighted with the decision.
Having lived in the municipality since his birth, the 60-year-old has witnessed how people of all ages, including teenagers, crowd the neighborhood stores to buy cheap liquor, especially at night.
“The next morning, I will see these people sleeping on the sidewalk, at bus stops, and on park benches, with empty liquor bottles and cans strewn everywhere. This has been going on for years, ” he said.
Another concern of Dr. Nicholas is the fact that Brickfields is home to several schools and places of worship. Despite that, the municipality had seen an increase in stores that sell all kinds of liquors.
Hor says there are too many stores that sell cheap liquor in residential areas.
Resident G. Selvi also supports the measure, saying there has to be some control over the sale of hard liquor, especially for a municipality like Brickfields, where there are thousands of families with young children.
“I walk with my son every day to a nearby school from my apartment in Brickfields.
“Along the way, there will be at least two or three people intoxicated with cheap liquor bottles nearby,” he said.
Cynthia Hor, a resident of Taman Seputeh, noticed that various shops were popping up everywhere.
“Some streets have six different stores that sell hard liquor.
Justin says that the consumption of cheap liquor in areas like Sentul has created social problems.
“I always wonder how they manage to open a half store and sell alcohol so easily,” he said.
In Sentul, the Rev. Justin Clarance, pastor of Sentul Tamil Methodist Church, spoke a silent prayer of thanks when he heard the news.
“I have seen families devastated by the abuse of alcohol, particularly cheap liquor, and many families have lost loved ones due to alcohol-related illnesses.
“Our church has been helping these families deal with domestic violence and social problems caused by the consumption of cheap liquor,” he said.
He added that convenience stores and various stores in the neighborhood sold liquor for as little as RM 10 each.
DBKL clarifies
The chairman of the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Excise Licensing Board (ELBKL), Datuk Lau Beng Wei, clarified that the guidelines were not intended to restrict the sale of liquor in the city, but to regulate the availability of hard liquor. in certain locations.
He said it would help control the sale and purchase of said liquor in terms of its location, type of premises and time of sale.
He explained that Chinese medicine stores that intend to sell other types of liquor could still request permission from the Ministry of Health, with a justification for their sale, and DBKL would have no objection if the ministry confirmed the type of liquor.
“Temporary liquor licenses can also be issued for promotional activities, events serving beer and liquor, as well as during the festive seasons,” he said.
He also said that the sale of beer would still be allowed in various stores, convenience stores and medicine pavilions, subject to certain conditions.
Lau said several workshops and meetings had been held with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Federal Territories, the Customs Department, the police, the Malaysian Road Safety Research Institute, the Islamic Religious Territory Department. Federal, as well as non-governmental organizations, to prepare the guidelines. .
The guidelines stipulate that companies that sell strong alcoholic beverages also cannot be ranked in front of places of worship, schools and hospitals among the list of places.
However, the ban will not affect pure or mixed liquor products that are sold as traditional medicine.
The restriction does not apply to beer, which can still be sold from 7 am to 9 pm every day, although it must be placed separately from other beverages.
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