Exclusive Selangor state executive council member Ronnie Liu has denied repeated accusations that he interfered with Shah Alam City Council's (MBSA) decision to confiscate alcohol from a convenience store.

Instead, Liu said his role in the controversy was merely limited to ‘advising' MBSA that the raid on a 7-11 outlet in Section 8, Shah Alam was illegal and not in line with the state government's policy.

ronnie liu interview 100809 06 According to Liu, he was informed by a journalist that a raid had taken place which prompted him to initiated investigations straightaway, including questioning the MBSA licensing director.

"When I asked the licensing director, he said he knew that he didn't have the authority (to order the raid), and he admitted he made a mistake, but he said he acted because of pressure from several local councillors, whom he refused to name.

"What is clear is that there was no instruction from the mayor, the deputy mayor or the council secretary. He made the decision alone. Appeals from the councillors cannot be deemed as orders. So there was some mistake on the part of the licensing director," said Liu.

Liu said this during an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini last Thursday at his office.

‘A misunderstanding'

Elaborating, Liu said MBSA by-laws do not prohibit convenience stores from selling beer, nor was a license required except for hard liquor.

He believes that MBSA officers or councillors may have misunderstood the Excise Act of 1976, which stipulates that there is no need for a liquor license for selling beverages with alcohol content of less than 8.8 percent.

"In Bahasa Malaysia, there is no direct translation for liquor. Bir (beer) is just a direct translation. Muslims might not understand this term. But non-Muslims will be able to differentiate beer from liquor.

"(In legal terms) beer has been defined as a ‘minuman keras' (hard drinks). There isn't a more accurate description," said Liu, who's portfolio includes overseeing local councils.

ronnie liu interview 100809 05 Following the raid, Liu said he held a meeting with four MBSA councillors, the licensing director and an officer from the raiding team.

He said during the meeting, he explained to his guests the state policy and the legal ramifications of the raid, and it was MBSA's own decision to return the RM600 worth of beer to the convenience store.

The issue has been construed as a major insult to Muslims by certain quarters, provoking PAS Selangor chief Hassan Ali, into calling for Liu to be dropped from the state cabinet or a change in his portfolio for alleged interference with MBSA jurisdiction.

No rift with Hassan or PAS

Liu said that Hassan, who is his state cabinet colleague, may be a victim of misunderstanding or political pressure from certain quarters, but said their relationship remains strong.

"I must state that my relationship with Hassan Ali is very good. This incident will not affect our relationship. He is a comrade and a colleague. We will continue to work together.

"People who want to take advantage of the situation, such as former Menteri Besar (Dr Mohd Khir Toyo), should stop dreaming because we will continue to work together," he said.

He also thanked Selangor PAS Youth for taking the initiative to meet him last Tuesday to hear from him first hand about his role in the controversy.

He said that such dialogues should continue in the future.

Selangor PAPS Youth had threatened to hold a demonstration against Liu over the matter, but dropped it at the eleventh hour. Their Umno counterparts were quick to express their intention of joining the demonstration.

Part 1

Liu: I had no hand in beer raid

Q&A: Self-regulate booze sales please!

Part 2

'Gangster links' claim a work of fiction

Q&A: I'm no publicity seeker