Customs Department has been ordered to revoke the liquor licence policy for restaurants and coffee shops to sell alcohol, MCA president Wee Ka Siong (above) announced today.
In a statement, the transport minister said he had contacted Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who is currently in Singapore for an official trip, and the finance minister confirmed that his ministry has ordered the Customs Department to revoke the liquor licence policy.
"Zafrul confirmed that his ministry had indeed cancelled the directive and he promised to once again instruct the Customs Department to adhere to its decision," said Wee.
Wee said he and Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Lim Ban Hong were dealing with the matter following complaints from coffeeshop and restaurant operators.
"However, in mid-November, some restaurant and coffeeshop operators in certain states were invited to attend briefings by the Customs Department and were instructed to apply for licences. This has caused an uproar," he said.
"I communicated with Zafrul and the ministry issued an official letter on Nov 23 to inform the department to cancel the measure as the ministry had authorised all states, the menteris besar and chief ministers to deal with licensing issues via local authorities," he said.
"Being a member of the state licensing board, the Customs Department has no power to unilaterally instruct restaurants and coffeeshops to apply for liquor licences.
"As such, the Finance Ministry had revoked an April 7 letter by the department which asked the operators to apply for a liquor licence before Dec 31," he said.
Malaysia is a multiracial country where non-Muslims have a right to consume alcohol and such rights must be respected, stressed Wee.
Earlier, it was reported that restaurants and coffeeshops selling beer will be required to apply for a new licence from Jan 1 as part of a new federal government policy. Annual licence fees between RM840 and RM1,320 would be charged to the businesses depending on operation hours.
This prompted DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to accuse the government of adopting PAS’ extremist policies nationwide by requiring ordinary coffeeshops selling beer to apply for alcohol licences.
MCA and Pakatan Harapan leaders have opposed Putrajaya's decision on the ground that the new policy hinders the freedom of non-Muslims and ultimately creates tension among the country's races.
China Press also reported that restaurants and coffeeshops in Perlis are prohibited from selling more than four cartons of beer daily.
Kedah will also introduce curbs on the sale of alcohol in rural parts where the demands are low.
On Nov 2, Perak executive councillor Akmal Kamaruddin announced on social media that the Selama district council would impose a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in all convenience stores in the district starting next month.
Before this, Kuala Lumpur City Hall also prohibited sundry shops, convenience stores and Chinese medicine halls in the capital from selling hard liquor, effective from this month. - Mkini
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