No plans to impose new restrictions on sale of alcoholic drinks in Negri, says MB

SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan government has no plans to impose new restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages in the state, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

He said the current rules which include Muslims not being allowed to buy such beverages were sufficient.

"We have a licensing committee which includes representatives from the Customs Department, police and local councils that regularly monitor the sale of such drinks to the public in the state.

"Customs, for example, also checks on establishments licensed to sell alcoholic drinks to ensure they do not sell more than the quota that is allowed for a certain period," he told reporters when met at the state Wildlife and National Parks Department here.

He said any business owner who violates the condition will have their licence revoked.

Aminuddin expressed hope all quarters would strictly follow the rules on the sale of such drinks.

He said non-Muslims should also be sensitive to this and not sell alcoholic drinks to Muslims as this is strictly prohibited in Islam.

"We need to be sensitive to these things. So, if all of us are prepared to follow the rules, then I do not see any problem here," he said, adding that as long as Muslims were strong in their faith, they need not worry about the sale of such drinks to non-Muslims.

Aminuddin said the state authorities were, however, prepared to ban the sale of such drinks in areas populated by Muslims.

On Nov 4, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Ahmad said local authorities are authorised to enforce the ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks to Muslims.

He also expressed hope that this would lead to a wider restriction on the sale of alcohol openly to Muslims.

On Nov 1, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall enforced a new ruling banning sundry shops, convenience stores and Chinese medical halls in the capital city from selling hard liquor.

These shops, however, are allowed to sell beer from 7am to 9pm.

The restriction prohibiting sundry shops, convenience stores and Chinese medical halls in Kuala Lumpur from selling hard liquor was first brought up on Nov 15, 2020.

Initially set to be enforced on Oct 1 this year, the ban was postponed for a month to finalise a study on the guidelines.