SINGAPORE: MPs from the wards in Little India are pushing for even tougher measures in response to the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) proposal to implement alcohol-free zones in the area.
And they have the support of shopowners in the affected area, who just a year ago were dead set against any such law.
MHA is seeking public views on two proposed rules: banning alcohol consumption in common areas like void decks and pavements, and limiting the hours during which stores can sell alcohol.
In recent years, MPs and residents have raised concerns about the problems of public drinking.
Shopowner Gopal Nand, from Gall & Gall Minimart in Little India, thinks having no-alcohol zones will actually be better for business. Business at his shop has fallen by 30 per cent since last year.
"On a normal day, there's almost no business - people come only on weekends. But we could be getting more business from the people who avoid us because of the rowdiness," said Gopal
However construction worker Raj Balan is left wondering where workers will go for weekend entertainment.
"I hope they don't let the noisy ones take away (the space from) the rest of us who are just trying to relax."
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