THE new restrictions on the sale of alcohol in convenience stores and Chinese medical halls in Kuala Lumpur appear to be an attempt to curb the rights of non-Muslims. Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy said.

Slamming Federal Territories Minister Shahidan Kassim, Ramasamy said the move was to appease Malay-Muslims and did not consider the rights of non-Muslims.

“Shahidan Kassim seems to be taking the high moral ground in curbing the consumption of alcohol but it is only to appease the Malay-Muslim constituency.

“It is not that all non-Muslims consume alcohol, but it is their right to consume it.

“This right cannot be snatched away with the stroke of a pen just for Umno to earn points,” he said.

On November 1, Kuala Lumpur City Hall enforced new restrictions on the sale of alcohol in convenience stores and Chinese medical halls.

It said the sale of alcoholic beverages at the outlets is only allowed from 7am to 9pm.

City Hall also said the sale of mixed and pure liquors approved by the Health Ministry for traditional medical purposes could be sold at Chinese medical halls.

Ramasamy branded the move as a strategy for the government to campaign on in the November 20 Malacca elections.

He also questioned whether the reform MOU the government signed with Pakatan Harapan would provide the political stability it was vaunted to do.

“Although the curb on the sales of alcohol was contemplated for some time by City Hall, the right moment was awaited.

“With the ascension of Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the prime minister, the political stability provided by the MOU with PH and the timing of the Malacca elections, the propitious moment was set for the announcement.

“In the election campaign, Umno can proudly announce how it had curbed the sales of alcohol in the KL Federal Territory and how this would set a powerful precedent for curbs on alcohol consumption in the country.

“Unfortunately, the MOU, rather than providing for political stability for the government to address the Covid-19 pandemic, has turned into something else,” the DAP leader said. – November 4, 2021.