Liu: Selangor government yet to designate area for sale of liquor

SHAH ALAM, Nov 16 — The Selangor government has yet to designate a suitable area in the state for the sale of liquor, Local Government, Studies and Research Committee chairman Ronnie Liu said today.

Replying to an oral question from Yap Ee Wah (BN-Sungai Pelek) in the state legislative assembly, he said the mechanism on the sale of liquor was in place whereby a licence must be secured from the district excise licensing board headed by the district officer.

Alcoholic beverages such as beer, which had less than 8.88 per cent alcohol content, could be sold by retail shops and convenience stores without the need to obtain a licence, he said.

There have been calls in Selangor for a prohibition on the sale of alcoholic beverages by convenience stores in areas where the majority of the population is Muslim.

Liu (picture) said the state government encouraged traders to exercise control on the sale of alcoholic beverages in areas where the majority of the population was Muslim.

These measures included disallowing the sale of alcoholic beverages to Muslims and people under 18, he said.

Alcoholic beverages were also kept separate from other drinks on shelves, he added.

He said these voluntary measures had been implemented well and that since there was no blanket ban on the sale of liquor, there was no negative effect on traders and tourists.

Liu did not reply to a supplementary question, from Wong Koon Mun (BN-Kuala Kubu Baru), on the number of licences for sale of liquor issued by the government so far, saying he would give a written reply. — Bernama