THE decision by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to ban the sale of liquor at grocery and convenience stores as well as Chinese medicine halls is suppressing businesses at these outlets, associations say.

They said the new rules, effective November 1, also infringe on the right of non-Muslims to buy and consume alcohol.

As a result, business owners are now more cautious in stockpiling liquor for fear that they will not be able to sell existing stock.

They are also pleading with the government to reconsider the ban as it inconveniences consumers. Worse, it may lead to an influx of bootleg alcohol.

Hong Chee Meng, president of the Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Associations of Malaysia, said the association met Federal Territories Minister Shahidan Kassim and the licensing team from DBKL for three hours to discuss the new rules and their impact.

“No decisions were reached at the meeting. But at least they were willing to listen to our opinions, talk to us about our concerns as well as be aware of the inconvenience the rules have on customers,” Hong told The Malaysian Insight.

“It is a loss for the country as Kuala Lumpur is a tourist spot. Allowing liquor to be sold at grocery stores, convenience stores and Chinese medicine halls make it accessible for tourists.”

While Hong said he welcomes the stricter rules, he hopes DBKL will continue to issue liquor sale licences.

There is no outcome yet from the association’s meeting with the minister and DBKL, with Hong saying he is still waiting for a date to be set for another meeting.

Under DBKL’s new rules, beer can be sold at these outlets only from 7am to 9pm.

Business owners must prepare a separate display space and sales area for beer. This area must be locked or barred after the allowed sale time.

For Chinese medicine halls, the sale of mixed or pure liquor for medicinal purposes require the approval from the Health Ministry.

The new rules state that alcohol can still be sold at restaurants, pubs, bars, hotels, commercial complexes, warehouses, supermarkets and hypermarkets.

Even warehouses that store, sell and supply beer for events must have a licence to sell liquor.

Pubs, bars, lounges and restaurants with licences to sell alcohol will only be allowed to serve liquor between 10am and midnight. Applications for a time extension can be made, but until 2am only.

Following DBKL’s decision, Labuan PAS’ advisory council deputy chairman Hamir Zahari called for the same rules to be implemented there, saying that the measures can help reduce the increasing accident rate as a result of drunk driving, social ills and alcohol addiction among youth.

Similarly, Negri Sembilan PAS youth leader Mahfuz Roslan also called on the state to emulate DBKL’s decision.

These calls by members of the Islamist party, which is also in government, are making those in the business worried that similar rules will be introduced in their states.

Perak Sundry Shop Association president Chuah Seong Kok said businesses are now limiting the amount of alcohol they stock for fear that the ruling will be imposed in the state.

“Businesses are more cautious and are avoiding stockpiling alcohol for fear that they won’t be allowed to sell and that will lead to losses.”

He said DBKL’s decision is suppressing businesses which are already heavily impacted due to the Covid-19 epidemic.

“Most grocers and convenience stores sell liquor. For Chinese medicine halls, when it comes to Chinese New Year gift hampers, liquor is always included in them. What are we going to do about that?,” he asked.

Chuah said the ban is not the best decision and may in fact be counterproductive and lead to an influx of fake alcohol in the market.

He said DBKL’s decision is also an infringement on the rights of non-Muslims.

Loh Kim Foong, president of the Federal Territory and Selangor Chinese Drug Dealers Association, said the new policy will only lead to panic.

“The sale of liquor, which includes wine, spirits and soju, account for up to 30% of our business volume. This ban is putting a lot of pressure on businesses,” he said.

Poor market conditions, the epidemic and this ban will only worsen the plight of  businesses and lead to more fake alcohol circulating in the market, he added.

“We have always abided by the law and applied for licences. We did not make any mistake in terms of compliance and yet this ban was imposed on us.”

The greater concern for law enforcement should be methanol poisoning from the consumption of bootleg liquor, the associations said.

Last month, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry recorded 33 methanol poisoning deaths between September 9 and 30 due to the consumption of home-made alcohol. – November 11, 2021.