Depts told to postpone liquor ruling

PETALING JAYA: The health departments of the Federal Terri­tory of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor were directed to put the brakes on enforcement of the newly minted law on the sale and display of compounded hard liquor (CHL).

Health officers from both departments told Star Metro that the Health Ministry decided to postpone the enforcement of the new regulation indefinitely.

Although the new law on alcohol purchase and consumption was gazetted on May 27, 2016, the regulation only came into effect on Dec 1, 2017, to give manufacturers and retailers time to adapt and make the necessary changes to their products.

However on Nov 28, two days before the new regulations were to start, the Health Ministry’s Food Safety and Quality Division sent an internal memo to the state (health) departments’ heads in the country informing staff to postpone enforcement until further notice.

Amendments to Regulation 361 of the Food Regulation Act 1985 (on general standards for alcoholic beverages) made it mandatory for alcohol retailers to display notices stating that ‘drinking alcohol is harmful to health’ along with signs indicating that they will not sell to those below 21.

Previously the age limit was 18.

The amendment also requires CHL to be sold in glass bottles with a minimum 700ml content.

This will increase tax on each CHL bottle, which will now cost between RM40 and RM50, compared to previously when such li­quor could be purchased for as low as RM5.

Those caught breaking the law faced fines up to RM10,000 or two years’ jail.

Star Metro managed to obtain a copy of the memo circulated to staff at the Selangor Health Department.

The Nov 30 memo, signed by the Selangor deputy health director (Food Safety and Quality Division) Azhar Ahmad, did not provide reasons for the suspension nor how long it would be for.

An officer from the Selangor health department, who wished to remain anonymous confirmed that they had received the instruction not to carry out enforcement on the sale and display of CHL.

The officer declined to elaborate on the reasons, merely saying they were following orders from the Health Ministry.

An officer from the Kuala Lumpur health enforcement division also confirmed the postponement, saying that it was a directive from Putrajaya.

In Klang, Allison Lai reported that Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam will issue a statement on the postponement.

“It will be issued by the ministry soon after one or two technical issues are resolved,” he said after presenting the Back to School aid to the Year One pupils of SJK(T) Simpang Lima here.