PETALING JAYA: A police raid on a shop selling alcoholic beverages in Bangsar today has left business groups questioning whether the sale of such drinks was now banned.
Confirming the raid, Brickfields police chief Anuar Omar told FMT that as per the National Security Council’s (MKN) SOPs, “all shops selling alcohol are to close immediately, like the Carlsberg factory”.
“Alcohol is not considered an essential drink. There is no need to sensationalise this as this is a government order to help stem the spread of Covid-19.”
Shaun Cheah, executive director of the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry, hoped that MKN would clear the air as their directive on Tuesday was only to close factories producing alcoholic beverages.
“Breweries are shut, but is the selling of alcohol also prohibited?,” asked Cheah.
“What if among other groceries and beverages, I also sell alcohol? Is that allowed? Are whole shops going to have to close? We need clarity from MKN.”
Meanwhile, an official from a wine and spirits dealers organisation said the raid made it seem as if the international trade and industry ministry (Miti) and the police were not communicating.
The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, also questioned why the police raided the shop if it already had its approval letter to operate from Miti.
“Now one person is saying one thing and another person is saying another thing. It’s very hard for us.
“This is causing us retailers problems. We’re all confused. So, we hope the government can tell us what rules to follow.”
On Tuesday, MKN decided that all factories producing alcoholic beverages were to close during the June 1 to 14 lockdown. This was after they were initially given approval by Miti to continue operating as it fell under the category of supplying beverages.
While operating permits had been granted to factories manufacturing food and beverages during the lockdown, senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this approval was only for factories producing essential items.
“Factories producing alcoholic beverages are not included in this category,” he said.
MKN’s announcement came after an Amanah Youth leader questioned the government for allowing Carlsberg Brewery to keep its operations running under the nationwide total lockdown.
He was responding to an approval letter by Miti which was widely shared on social media, showing that Carlsberg had been allowed to operate under strict SOPs.
A Miti spokesperson said that from her understanding, MKN’s announcement on Tuesday was limited to factories producing alcoholic beverages, adding that the raid today might have been to check the shop’s approval to operate. - FMT
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