Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim today said that there was no blanket ban on the sale of alcohol in the state.

He further said that convenience stores such as 7-11 outlets should practise self-regulation in beer sales.

However, these arrangements could only be a temporary measure as Khalid said proper guidelines will be formulated in a month on the sale of alcohol drinks in the state.

This morning, the menteri besar held a meeting with Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) officials and Shah Alam convenience store operators.

The issue erupted on Tuesday with the state's PAS leadership calling for a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol in all Muslim-majority areas.

NONE Selangor PAS commissioner Hassan Ali (centre) said the proposed ban will only concern Muslims and not impinge on the right of non-Muslims to consume alcohol.

The ban invited severe criticism from various quarters, including from Pakatan Rakyat leaders in the state, who said such a ban would be unfair to non-Muslims living in Muslim-majority areas in Selangor.

Khalid then intervened,and called for cool heads to prevail. He also imposed a gag order on all his state leaders and promised to come up with a solution today.

'This is the best solution'

In a statement issued later, the menteri besar said the self-regulation approach would be closely monitored and studied in the next month before a standard formula is drafted for the rest of the state.

"This is the best solution for the state in addressing the issue at hand. We believe this approach can curb social ills caused by abuse of alcohol and will deter students and young people from purchasing alcoholic drinks," he added.

khalid ibrahim on klang bas terminal 090109 04 Khalid called on all parties to respect the solution reached today and urged those who politicise the issue to stop creating confusion among the people.

"The state government understands the fear of the abuse of alcohol and social ills caused by the abuse and addiction of alcohol.

"We believe that it can be curbed by proper education and this can be effectively done if all stakeholders – the residents, state governments and its agencies, the business community and civil society – play their respective roles and responsibilities effectively.

"These bodies could also take on the role of the rehabilitation of alcoholics, and to curb the effects of alcohol abuse on domestic violence, the real victims of alcoholism," he said.

This is why, he added, the state favours the self-regulation approach instead of imposing more rules and regulations that may not be effective and counter-productive.

The self-regulation approach includes no display of alcoholic drinks while the purchase of the drinks will only be made upon request at the cashier counters.

The self-regulation approach is in addition to the existing regulations which bar the sale of alcoholic drinks to Muslims and those under the age of 18.