JOHOR BARU: The sale of alcohol in the city remains at status quo, with no changes to the existing licensing policies, says the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB).
Johor Baru mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad said the issuance of licences for the sale of alcohol such as liquor and wine, whether for retail or distribution, falls under the district office.
He said the council’s responsibility was to determine whether the applicants fulfil the criteria to get the licence.
“MBJB’s role is more on providing remarks (to the district office) on whether the location is suitable for the sale of alcohol.
“This includes whether it is outside a radius of 200m from housing areas, education institutions and houses of worship,” he told reporters when asked to comment on the matter after chairing the MBJB full board meeting here yesterday.
Mohd Haffiz added that MBJB would also check whether the location for the business had received public complaints before.
“If the applicants fulfil the criteria, MBJB will not reject the applications.
“For now, we have no plans to change the existing conditions related to the issuance of licences for the sale of alcohol, but they would be subject to review from time to time,” he added.
On Jan 18, it was reported that Ipoh City Council was considering stopping the sale of alcohol in Muslim-majority areas in the city.
Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said it received the suggestion from the public and was studying its suitability in areas with a Malay-majority population.
Following that, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the status quo on the sale of alcohol will be maintained.
