No More Booze At Grocery Stores? Ministry Wants To Review Regulations & Set Up Task Force To Address Negative Effects of Alcohol

By Ammar Haziq  •  23 Jul 2020 in News

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You might not be able to get a six-pack at your local grocery soon, as the Housing and Local Ministry said there is a need to review existing regulations that allow alcohol to be sold in grocery stores, as reported by Malay Mail.

This was because the sale of alcohol in grocery stores brought more negative than positive impacts on society, said Deputy Housing and Local Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Muttalib.

Ismail also said the ministry has issued a letter on 9 June to inform all state governments to identify premises selling alcohol and to strengthen the enforcement on the sale of liquor to curb the negative effects of drinking.

“Licenses for the sale of alcohol falls under the purview of the Customs Department. However, the ministry is of the view that there is a need to review the sale of alcohol at grocery stores.

“This was because it brought about more negative effects than positive effects to society,” said Ismail, in response to Datuk Mohd Aziz Jamman (Warisan-Sepanggar) who had asked during in parliament whether the government will review the sales of alcohol in grocery stores.

In terms of religion, he said Islam had clearly stated the consumption of alcohol is haram for Muslims.

“I’m also confident that other religions are the same, which did not agree to the adverse effects that affect society, such as deaths arising from drunk-driving,” he said.

Shaharizukirnain Kadir (PAS-Setiu) also asked if the government would create a special task force to address the detrimental issue of alcohol consumption, similar to a previous team set up to address drug addiction.

Ismail responded by saying the government welcomes the proposal.

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