MPs slam FT minister over ‘liquor ban not hurting non-Muslims’ remark
Liquor sales have been banned at grocers, convenience stores and Chinese medical halls in Kuala Lumpur while beer sales are allowed from 7am to 9pm.
KUALA LUMPUR: Federal territories minister Shahidan Kassim’s claim that the ban on selling liquor at grocers, convenience stores, and Chinese medical halls by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) does not hurt the sensitivities of non-Muslims invited ridicule and anger from the opposition.
Pakatan Harapan MPs, especially those from the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur, took issue with his statement, as he also tried to deflect the blame to his predecessor, Annuar Musa.
In the winding up speech for his ministry today, Shahidan spoke of how other countries, including Singapore, imposed similar restrictions that were accepted by non-Muslim religious organisations.
At this juncture, he was interrupted by Tan Kok Wai (PH-Cheras) who reminded Shahidan of a promise he made to PH MPs, of a “win-win solution” on the liquor ban issue during a meeting last month.
“We were promised a win-win solution, but what we got so far is similar to the one given by the former minister (Annuar). You are being insincere in this issue. Is the promise of a win-win solution an empty one?” asked Tan.
Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh) then interjected and questioned DBKL for discriminating against grocers and convenience stores when restaurants, pubs, bars, malls, and supermarkets are still allowed to sell alcoholic beverages.
She also accused the minister of contradicting his own rationale by saying that consuming liquor is bad for society, when some businesses continue to sell alcoholic beverages.
Lim Lip Eng (PH-Kepong) then stood up and questioned Shahidan over the timing of the ban, asking if it was politically motivated in light of the Melaka state election.
In response to these questions from the opposition MPs, Shahidan accused them of seeking “cheap publicity” over the liquor ban issue.
“I am merely continuing the policies implemented by my predecessor (Annuar). Besides, grocers and convenience stores can still apply for a licence to sell liquor in their stores, and DBKL will process their applications on a case-by-case basis,” he said.
Khalid Samad (PH-Shah Alam) then stood up to slam the minister for using the same excuse and deflecting blame.
“Don’t use your predecessor as an excuse,” the former federal territories minister said, adding that the liquor ban was imposed without consulting the grocers and convenience stores.
Annuar imposed a temporary ban on new liquor licenses in Kuala Lumpur last year and justified the ban by citing several road accidents and fatalities allegedly involving drink driving during the conditional movement control order (CMCO) period.
Meanwhile, Ngeh Koo Ham (PH-Beruas) warned that the case-by-case processing of the licence application to sell liquor by grocers and convenience stores would lead to favoritism.
“You will have those who have the right connections having their application approved, while other businesses would not get the same treatment,” he said.
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Independent-Muar) asked Shahidan to have a study done to find the source of liquor purchased by KL folks involved in drunk driving incidents.
“Find out from where they are buying these alcoholic beverages from. Are they buying from bars, restaurants, or convenience stores? We seem to go after the small businesses while we are letting big businesses off the hook,” he said.
The ban on selling liquor at grocers, convenience stores, and Chinese medical halls in Kuala Lumpur was enforced on Nov 1. While customers can still purchase beer at such premises, it can only be sold between 7am and 9pm.
The ban, which was announced last November and was supposed to start on Oct 1, was temporarily suspended for a study DBKL was said to be conducting.
KUALA LUMPUR: Federal territories minister Shahidan Kassim’s claim that the ban on selling liquor at grocers, convenience stores, and Chinese medical halls by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) does not hurt the sensitivities of non-Muslims invited ridicule and anger from the opposition.
Pakatan Harapan MPs, especially those from the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur, took issue with his statement, as he also tried to deflect the blame to his predecessor, Annuar Musa.
In the winding up speech for his ministry today, Shahidan spoke of how other countries, including Singapore, imposed similar restrictions that were accepted by non-Muslim religious organisations.
At this juncture, he was interrupted by Tan Kok Wai (PH-Cheras) who reminded Shahidan of a promise he made to PH MPs, of a “win-win solution” on the liquor ban issue during a meeting last month.
“We were promised a win-win solution, but what we got so far is similar to the one given by the former minister (Annuar). You are being insincere in this issue. Is the promise of a win-win solution an empty one?” asked Tan.
Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh) then interjected and questioned DBKL for discriminating against grocers and convenience stores when restaurants, pubs, bars, malls, and supermarkets are still allowed to sell alcoholic beverages.
She also accused the minister of contradicting his own rationale by saying that consuming liquor is bad for society, when some businesses continue to sell alcoholic beverages.
Lim Lip Eng (PH-Kepong) then stood up and questioned Shahidan over the timing of the ban, asking if it was politically motivated in light of the Melaka state election.
In response to these questions from the opposition MPs, Shahidan accused them of seeking “cheap publicity” over the liquor ban issue.
“I am merely continuing the policies implemented by my predecessor (Annuar). Besides, grocers and convenience stores can still apply for a licence to sell liquor in their stores, and DBKL will process their applications on a case-by-case basis,” he said.
Khalid Samad (PH-Shah Alam) then stood up to slam the minister for using the same excuse and deflecting blame.
“Don’t use your predecessor as an excuse,” the former federal territories minister said, adding that the liquor ban was imposed without consulting the grocers and convenience stores.
Annuar imposed a temporary ban on new liquor licenses in Kuala Lumpur last year and justified the ban by citing several road accidents and fatalities allegedly involving drink driving during the conditional movement control order (CMCO) period.
Meanwhile, Ngeh Koo Ham (PH-Beruas) warned that the case-by-case processing of the licence application to sell liquor by grocers and convenience stores would lead to favoritism.
“You will have those who have the right connections having their application approved, while other businesses would not get the same treatment,” he said.
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Independent-Muar) asked Shahidan to have a study done to find the source of liquor purchased by KL folks involved in drunk driving incidents.
“Find out from where they are buying these alcoholic beverages from. Are they buying from bars, restaurants, or convenience stores? We seem to go after the small businesses while we are letting big businesses off the hook,” he said.
The ban on selling liquor at grocers, convenience stores, and Chinese medical halls in Kuala Lumpur was enforced on Nov 1. While customers can still purchase beer at such premises, it can only be sold between 7am and 9pm.
The ban, which was announced last November and was supposed to start on Oct 1, was temporarily suspended for a study DBKL was said to be conducting.
This ketuanan wants to represent the nons and say nons are not hurt by the liquor ban?
ReplyDeleteI probably drink at most 6 cans of beer a year and no hard liquor and the liquor ban does not bother me personally. But this liquor ban is not about access to liquor per se but about infringing into the way of life of the nons.
Decision by BN Minister..
ReplyDeleteWee KHAT Sial is still worried about losing his bread crumbs.... Boh Lampar...
The ALL Grocers stall BOYCOTT SELLING HALAL IMPRINTED STUFF..... NO SUPREMACIST RACE AND RELIGION NEED TO SHOP IN YOUR SHOP EITHER.....LETS SEE WHERE THEY GET THEIR STUFF....PROBABLY FROM ISMAIL SABRI NEW 100 MILLION GIFT TO NAJIB TO BUILD HIS HOUSE CUM SUPER MARKET SO THAT ROSMAH CAN LUANGKAN MASA DENGA RAKYAT!!...Keep Selling Liquor in the name OF FOLLOWING HUDAYBIYYAH SuPREMACIST LAW 9 years...9 months and 9 days!!!
ReplyDelete