New KL liquor sale restrictions: Business owners say it will impact the nation's economy

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 18): Business owners say the latest liquor licence guidelines announced by City Hall (DBKL) say that it will impact the nation's economy, which is already suffering from the Covid-19 outbreak, reported Malaysiakini today.

Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Wine and Spirit Chinese Dealers Association secretary Albert Chooi Leong Peow said the latest directive “will not just hurt businesses, but the government's tax income as well”.

“If they don’t release the licences, how do we make a living? And that also means the government will not get taxes,” Chooi told the news portal.

"We are facing the worst time for the economy. Every business, including those that sell liquor, is struggling to boost the economy,” said Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Association president Hong Chee Meng.

"The policy, which is currently implemented within Kuala Lumpur, may not severely affect the country (now), but what if the authorities extend it to the entire country one day?

"The tax revenue will be reduced and it is definitely a loss for Malaysia," Hong added.

Chooi also said that DBKL’s ruling was “regressive”.

"Alcohol is sold in almost every capital city in the world. Why are we going backwards?"

Chooi said the liquor merchants associations will discuss the new guidelines with elected representatives before meeting DBKL with their problems.

DBKL’s new liquor rulings announced on Monday states that sundry shops, convenience stores and Chinese medicine halls will no longer be allowed to sell hard liquor from Oct 1 next year.

Liquor shops, retail outlets, pubs, bars, lounges, supermarkets, hypermarkets and wholesalers will not be affected by the guidelines.

Also exempted from the restrictions are pure or mixed liquor products in traditional medicine while beer can still be sold from 7am to 9pm.

The beer products, however, must be “placed separately from other beverages”.

Outlets that have diners consuming alcohol must display a blue liquor licence while those that provide just take-away “liquor” will need a yellow licence

As for the “production, sale and consumption of Samsu”, it will be totally illegal in Kuala Lumpur starting from Dec 15 this year. Check out the full guidelines here

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