The Malaysian Insight

STATE governments should not be allowed to decide whether coffee shops and restaurants need to apply for a licence to sell alcohol, as it may pave the way for extremist policies, Lim Guan Eng said.

“By letting state governments decide, there will be some influenced by PAS extremist policies that will implement these new regulations on non-Muslim coffee shops and restaurants, which they had no powers over previously,” he said in a statement.

The DAP secretary-general said the licence will also be an additional burden to coffee shops and restaurants.

It will also infringe on the rights of the non-Muslims to consume beer, he added. 

“This would reduce the avenue for many non-Muslims to enjoy their beer in legally licensed shops because operators may not think it is worth paying between RM840 and RM1,320 for a licence when they can hardly make sufficient profits from selling beer. 

“This interferes in the freedom and affects the customary lifestyle and normal business practices of non-Muslims that has been in force since Merdeka without any public complaints,” the Bagan lawmaker said in the statement.

Lim said that about 60% out of 15,000 restaurants and 80% out of 20,000 coffee shops nationwide have said they may cease selling beer if the new regulation comes into effect. 

The former finance minister said since the Excise Act 1976 allows the Finance Ministry (MOF) to impose fines on the illegal selling of alcohol, the licensing should also fall under the ministry.

“The MOF should not hand over the power to decide to the respective state government but continue to postpone the enforcement of licensing of beer in coffee shops and restaurants. In other words, the postponement should be reinstated and not reversed.” 

This morning, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the government has not revoked orders allowing state governments to decide whether to require retail outlets to be licensed to sell alcohol.

It was reported that starting next year, the Customs Department will require coffee shops and restaurants to apply for a licence to sell alcohol.

The ruling has been slammed as it adds to the financial burden on coffee shop and restaurant operators who are already suffering from the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. – December 9, 2021.