FT Ministry stands its ground on sale of hard liquor

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territories Ministry is standing by its move to disallow selected outlets from selling hard liquor, much to the dismay of traders involved.

Its minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim reiterated in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday that sundry shops, convenience stores and Chinese medicine halls are not permitted to sell hard liquor.

“DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) will retain and enforce the new guidelines (on the sale of hard liquor) that were announced last month.

“The authorities will also ramp up enforcement on the sale of illicit liquor with joint enforcement exercises with agencies like the police, customs and Health Ministry,’’ he said.

The liquor sale restriction, which excludes beer, was initially set to be enforced on Oct 1. It eventually took effect on Nov 1.

Shahidan, in his winding-up speech, said the guidelines on the sale of liquor were reached after consultation with religious bodies, manufacturers and bottlers of liquor in the city.

Those whose liquor licences had expired could appeal to the Excise Licensing Board of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, he added.

When contacted, Selangor Kuala Lumpur Wine and Spirit Chinese Dealers Association secretary Chooi Leong Peow said he was utterly disappointed with the decision.

“What can I say? I am disappointed and angry,’’ he said.

Federal Territory and Selangor Chinese Medicine/Drug Dealers Association president Loh Kim Fong was equally disappointed.

“This is not a win-win situation at all,’’ Loh said.