Penang official downplays sale of beer at mall concourse
Permatang Pauh MP Fawwaz Md Jan claimed Muslim patrons at a mall in Perai, Penang, were upset that alcohol was being sold openly as part of the Chinese New Year festivities. (TikTok pic)
GEORGE TOWN: A Penang official has downplayed the sale of beer at a Perai mall’s concourse area as part of the Chinese New Year festivities following a PAS lawmaker’s objection to alcohol being openly sold.
The official said the sale of alcohol to the public required a licence issued by the state excise body, which sits thrice a year to vet applications.
The licences are valid for a year and are carefully vetted by enforcement officers, including the police, to determine the suitability of the location for the sale of the alcohol, the official said.
“The state excise board carefully reviews hundreds of applications each time. The board has denied the sale of alcohol in residential areas and other areas deemed a nuisance to others. This is done after conferring with the police, the customs department, and the city council.
“While we don’t have detailed information on this case, retail areas such as malls usually require the state excise permit to be shown before any sale of alcohol is allowed,” the official told FMT.
Meanwhile, a state government official said matters relating to alcohol sale were under the jurisdiction of the state excise board, while the consumption of alcoholic beverages fell under the licensing department of the respective city councils.
Yesterday, Permatang Pauh MP Fawwaz Md Jan claimed Muslim patrons to the mall were upset that alcohol was being sold openly.
He submitted an objection letter against the promotion of alcohol in the concourse area, adding that the sale should be conducted discreetly in an area accessible only to non-Muslims, Fawwaz’s special officer Jamsari Samad told FMT.
“We are not asking for a ban of alcohol sale, but just not large-scale promotions that may affect the sensitivities of Muslims,” he said.
Checks by FMT found that the booth remained operational at the mall’s concourse.
GEORGE TOWN: A Penang official has downplayed the sale of beer at a Perai mall’s concourse area as part of the Chinese New Year festivities following a PAS lawmaker’s objection to alcohol being openly sold.
The official said the sale of alcohol to the public required a licence issued by the state excise body, which sits thrice a year to vet applications.
The licences are valid for a year and are carefully vetted by enforcement officers, including the police, to determine the suitability of the location for the sale of the alcohol, the official said.
“The state excise board carefully reviews hundreds of applications each time. The board has denied the sale of alcohol in residential areas and other areas deemed a nuisance to others. This is done after conferring with the police, the customs department, and the city council.
“While we don’t have detailed information on this case, retail areas such as malls usually require the state excise permit to be shown before any sale of alcohol is allowed,” the official told FMT.
Meanwhile, a state government official said matters relating to alcohol sale were under the jurisdiction of the state excise board, while the consumption of alcoholic beverages fell under the licensing department of the respective city councils.
Yesterday, Permatang Pauh MP Fawwaz Md Jan claimed Muslim patrons to the mall were upset that alcohol was being sold openly.
He submitted an objection letter against the promotion of alcohol in the concourse area, adding that the sale should be conducted discreetly in an area accessible only to non-Muslims, Fawwaz’s special officer Jamsari Samad told FMT.
“We are not asking for a ban of alcohol sale, but just not large-scale promotions that may affect the sensitivities of Muslims,” he said.
Checks by FMT found that the booth remained operational at the mall’s concourse.
I will keep saying "f**k this ketuanan bigot!"
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