Banning liquor unconstitutional, says religious group

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 28 Nov 2020 3:20PM · 8 Comments

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism says a total ban on the sale of liquor will impact businesses that operate legally and which have already been hard hit by the Covid-19 crisis. – EPA pic, November 28, 2020.

THE government should look at regulating the sale of liquor instead of imposing a blanket ban, said the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST).

The group has called upon the government to follow other countries worldwide, which already regulate the sale and consumption of liquor, in response to Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s new by-law coming into effect next October, banning the sale of liquor at sundry and grocery shops, convenience stores, and medicine shops in the Federal Territories.

The religious group said a blanket ban would be unconstitutional.

“During Covid-19 these businesses are already facing hard times and thus the total ban will make matters worse,” the group said in a press statement.

“To impose such a ban will be unconstitutional because it violates non-Muslim rights under Article 11,” the group said, referring to Article 11 of the federal constitution, guaranteeing freedom of religion, a right that cannot be violated, even during an emergency (Article 150 (6A)).

“These outlets number a few thousand and the owners have said that this total ban is infringing on their rights, is anti-business and victimises them although they are law-abiding and taxpaying business owners,” the group said.

“Some non-Muslim religions, including natives of Sabah and Sarawak, use liquor during cultural and religious ceremonies,” the group said.

However, the group said it supports the ban on drink driving, and restricting the sale of liquor to persons over the age of 18 during certain hours of the day. – November 28, 2020.

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Comments

  • Why are muslim politicians imposing their muslim beliefs on non muslims. Leave non muslims alone it is their RIGHTS SPELLED IN THE MALAYSIAN CONSTITUTION . Why are always muslim politicians attacking n undermining the non muslim Why muslim politicians never attack the muslim who goes Against their Quran teachings . Just bcoz we are small in number so easy to ATTACK. PAS wants malaysia to become like yemen syria afganistan etc etc muslim countries. They create hell in their own country then RUN TO EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TO EARN A LIVING.

    Posted 3 years ago by Lucky Boy · Reply

    • Why are non Muslim politicians imposing their Christian, Hindu, Buddhist beliefs on Muslims? Leave Muslims alone it is their rights in the constitution of India, France,. Why are always non Muslim politicians attacking n undermining the Muslims. Why Hindu Christian Buddhist politicians never attack the Hindu Christian and Buddhist who goes against their Vedas Biblical teachings. Just because they are small in numbers so easy to attack. Syria Afghanistan are made like that by Christians and Hindus. They bomb and destroy Muslim countries and then come economically stronger Muslim countries like Dubai, Malaysia, Qatar for earning.

      Posted 3 years ago by Chilman K Saafi · Reply

    • The hell created in Syria and Afghanistan is by Christians of Europe, not by Muslims. Follow the laws of Muslim lands just like you radical Christians force Muslim minority in Christian, Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish lands to follow their freedom of expression.

      Posted 3 years ago by Chilman K Saafi · Reply

  • Follow the laws of the land where you live. Just like France, India, Burma, Israel, Germany demand from others to follow the laws of the land,

    Posted 3 years ago by Chilman K Saafi · Reply

  • What kind of moral religions they are, whose followers are demanding liquor?

    Posted 3 years ago by Chilman K Saafi · Reply

    • What kind of moral religions they are whose followers are indulge in CORRUPTION. It is actually not moral religion it is OWN PERSONAL BEHAVIOUR NOTHING TO DO WITH RELIGION. GOD gave religion to mankind to be KIND COMPASSIONATE Not Evil or Devil

      Posted 3 years ago by Lucky Boy · Reply

  • Malaysia is not Hindu India, Buddhist Thailand, Christian France. Just like France, India and Thailand would never entertain the demands by the Muslims, similarly you should not expect such vulgar demands to be fulfilled by the state which follows morality and code of ethics. Learn to respect the majority's sensitivities just like Muslims are forced in Hindu India not to eat cow meat.

    Posted 3 years ago by Chilman K Saafi · Reply

  • Banning liquor is unconstitional for healthy mind people liquor is not for getting drunk or get drenched into it . It is to be taken as for health purpose same like morphine for cancer patients. TOO MUCH OF ANYTHING IS BAD FOR HUMAN WELL BEING LET IT BE ANYTHING. The term BAN is wrong .

    Posted 3 years ago by Lucky Boy · Reply