More local councils to emulate DBKL on liquor sales ban in mom-and-pop stores?
Association president fails to understand rationale behind move on smaller businesses
Taking away the rights of small businesses to sell liquor can severely affect their sustainability, according to Associated Liquor Merchants Association president Leong Keng Mun. – Canva pic, October 30, 2021
KUALA LUMPUR – Following Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) decision to prohibit liquor sales at grocery, convenience, and Chinese medicine stores, more local councils are now purportedly considering similar bans.
According to Associated Liquor Merchants Association president Leong Keng Mun, some local governments have given an indication that they might go down a similar route.
Speaking at a virtual press conference organised by Industries Unite today, Leong said this is based on feedback by members of the association after their liquor licence renewals had been put on hold.
“We are getting word that certain councils will do what DBKL is doing. This is the information our members have been feeding to us.
“This is the case in Kuala Kubu Baru where members have already submitted their forms to renew their licences, but the local council refuses to allow them to make payments.
“When asked why, the reply given was ‘let’s wait and see what the federal territory is doing first’.”
Kuala Kubu Baru falls under the jurisdiction of the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council.
DBKL had in November last year announced that beginning October 1, 2021, grocery and convenience stores – as well as Chinese medicine halls – will not be allowed to sell alcohol beverages in their premises.
The council on September 30 postponed the prohibition to November 1, to allow for a study on controlling liquor sales in the federal capital to be finalised.
Leong said he fails to understand DBKL’s rationale behind the sales ban on smaller businesses, and not instead making it across the board for all premises selling alcohol.
“Supermarkets and hypermarkets are still allowed to sell the drinks. So, why target the ban on just a class of business?
“This (sales of liquor) is an important revenue stream for these small businesses. Taking away their rights to sell can severely affect their sustainability.
“Also, let’s not take away the rights of non-Muslims to support local businesses in purchasing their alcoholic beverages.”
Leong said the decision by DBKL is very much misaligned with the “Keluarga Malaysia” spirit championed by the federal government. – The Vibes, October 30, 2021
KUALA LUMPUR – Following Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) decision to prohibit liquor sales at grocery, convenience, and Chinese medicine stores, more local councils are now purportedly considering similar bans.
According to Associated Liquor Merchants Association president Leong Keng Mun, some local governments have given an indication that they might go down a similar route.
Speaking at a virtual press conference organised by Industries Unite today, Leong said this is based on feedback by members of the association after their liquor licence renewals had been put on hold.
“We are getting word that certain councils will do what DBKL is doing. This is the information our members have been feeding to us.
“This is the case in Kuala Kubu Baru where members have already submitted their forms to renew their licences, but the local council refuses to allow them to make payments.
“When asked why, the reply given was ‘let’s wait and see what the federal territory is doing first’.”
Kuala Kubu Baru falls under the jurisdiction of the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council.
DBKL had in November last year announced that beginning October 1, 2021, grocery and convenience stores – as well as Chinese medicine halls – will not be allowed to sell alcohol beverages in their premises.
The council on September 30 postponed the prohibition to November 1, to allow for a study on controlling liquor sales in the federal capital to be finalised.
Leong said he fails to understand DBKL’s rationale behind the sales ban on smaller businesses, and not instead making it across the board for all premises selling alcohol.
“Supermarkets and hypermarkets are still allowed to sell the drinks. So, why target the ban on just a class of business?
“This (sales of liquor) is an important revenue stream for these small businesses. Taking away their rights to sell can severely affect their sustainability.
“Also, let’s not take away the rights of non-Muslims to support local businesses in purchasing their alcoholic beverages.”
Leong said the decision by DBKL is very much misaligned with the “Keluarga Malaysia” spirit championed by the federal government. – The Vibes, October 30, 2021
Wee KHAT Siong still no meow? No grandmother story?
ReplyDeleteQUOTE
Explain ban on alcohol sale at Chinese medicine shops, minister tells Selangor
Thursday, 28 May 2015
KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 ― The Selangor government must explain the ban on the sale of alcohol by traditional Chinese medicine shops, minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said today, pointing out that the alcoholic products at these outlets are used for general health reasons.
Wee, who is also MCA deputy president, also questioned the state government's silence on the matter, pointing out that the DAP had raised hue and cry before when the Malacca government proposed to ban convenient stores from selling alcohol.
“The Selangor state government is duty-bound to explain why they are doing this,” he was quoted saying by The Star Online.
He reportedly added that Chinese medicine shops have been selling alcohol for decades to help with the general health and wellbeing of its predominantly Chinese customers.
“When my grandmother was alive, she would take one small cup of alcohol every day. She was never hospitalised and lived to the age of 89,” he said.
UNQUOTE
Why is PKR governed Selangor following DBKL to eat shit ?
ReplyDeleteThe MB needs to answer this.