PAS: Suspend sale of alcohol until drunk driving resolved

PAS information chief Kamaruzaman Mohamad has called for the production and sale of alcoholic beverages to be suspended until the issue of drunk driving is resolved.

"Considering the frequency of accidents involving drunk drivers, PAS proposes that the government led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin immediately suspend the production, business and sale of alcohol until all measures have been taken to prevent drunk driving," he said in a statement.

In the interim, Kamaruzaman (above) urged the Perikatan Nasional government to set up a multi-ministerial special cabinet committee to look into the issue.

"PAS also calls on the Customs Department and local councils to suspend the sale of alcoholic beverages at 24-hour convenience stores.

"The government should put people's lives as a priority as it is a source of road accidents, particularly involving deaths," he said.

Kamaruzaman said alcohol consumption level in Malaysia was at a worrying level.

He cited a 2016 World Health Organisation (WHO) report which ranked Malaysia as the 10th highest country in terms of alcohol consumption by litre per capita.

"Statistics by the organisation showed Malaysians spent RM2 billion to consume 15 litres of alcoholic beverages per capita in 2016.

"The tragedy of drunk driving cannot be taken lightly. The offence is due to weak laws and enforcement as well as the selfish and stubborn attitudes of drunk drivers.

"It is more unfortunate when they also claim the lives of the innocent," he said.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong (photo) signalled that the government will work on tougher laws relating to drunk driving.

Wee said he was saddened by the series of reports about accidents caused by drunk drivers.

"On June 1, I will call for a briefing with the Road Transport Department to review the relevant acts.

"The amendments, taking into consideration public feedback, must be finalised by the middle of June before it is brought to the cabinet.

"I will act and I am committed to defending the victims of deadly road accidents as well as to give justice to their families," he said. - Mkini