Bar owners, consumer group complain of higher beer prices

- Reuters file pic

PETALING JAYA: The prices of alcoholic drinks in bars and clubs are set to see a significant increase, say bar owners.

Alcohol Consumer Rights (Alcon) founder Deepak Gill said that an increase in prices by Heineken Malaysia, formerly known as Guinness Anchor Berhad (GAB), was bound to affect consumers.

“They are increasing the prices by RM30 to RM40 per barrel, so some of bar owners will need to increase their prices,” he said when contacted on Friday.

Deepak, who is also the co-owner of Locker and Loft, added that the increase in prices was sudden.

“It is not necessary and unfair. Earlier in the year, after the revision of tax, they had increased the beer prices already.

“So it has gone up twice in the last couple of months alone, despite them reporting increase in profits up to 30%,” he said.

D’Legends Bar owner Shankar Santhiram, however, said that the increase was not as drastic as many claim.

“The increase of RM20 was for Tiger Radler which is our lowest performing beer.

“As for the others, the increase was between 4 and 6%, which is not as dramatic,” he said.

Shankar, however, said that the consistent increase in prices without consulting the people was not right.

“At least 30-40% of the population in our country consume alcohol. This number of people do other things and contribute to the economy, so it would be nice to be consulted before an increase,” he said.

A spokesperson from Heineken Malaysia confirmed the increase in prices, and added that clearer information would be available next Monday.

Following the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), there was a moratorium by Heineken Malaysia to not increase the prices of its beers until June 30, 2016.

The new increase is effective July 1.