The Selangor government has told restaurateurs and hawkers who do not sell alcohol to replace business signboards displaying beer logos by March.

State executive councillor Mohd Mokhtar Ahmad Dahlan today that the ruling was made in response to complaints from Muslims in Subang Jaya.

"The sensitivity of Islam must be respected. If it (an outlet) sells beer, then it's okay (to have logos on the signboard). But mee goreng and roti canai stalls should not have that," he said.

The enforcement will start with the area under Subang Jaya Municipal Council's jurisdiction and expand to other areas, said Mohd Mokhtar who heads the local government, environment, housing and squatter committee.

He said many proprietors do not state that beer logos were included in the signboard when they applied to the local council for a licence.

"After they obtain the approval to put up their signboard, they include the logo of whichever beer company that pays for it. It is wrong of them to do that," he said.

Letter to beer companies

He added he would send a letter to beer companies instructing them to stop sponsoring signboards at outlets which do not sell their products.

Asked if the ruling would trouble hawkers and restaurant owners, he replied, "They told us that it will cost them money to make another signboard. That's why we have given them three months to do that."

To another question, he said the state government may also consider banning beer advertisements which often show scantily-clad women, if Muslims complain about this. Such posters are commonly seen in food and beverage outlets.

Yesterday, Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said signboards with beer logos should be removed because they could have an adverse effect on youngsters.

Agenda Daily Selangor news-site quoted Mohd Khir as saying that beer advertisements could be small and few in number, and that food operators should only display what they sell. He acknowledged that beer is a common drink among non-Muslims, but felt that the number of advertisements had to be controlled so that youth are not tempted.

Bad luck

The ruling, however, did not go down well with hawkers and restaurant owners in the state.

Yong Wah, president of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Merchants' Association, said he could not see the rationale for the decision.

"As far as I know, only non-Muslims particularly Chinese and Indians use business signboards sponsored by beer companies. We see nothing wrong with that because Muslims do not frequent our stalls anyway," said the hawker who runs a fruit stall.

Yong added apart from having to bear the cost of replacing signboards, Chinese hawkers and restaurant owners were unhappy because they would have to take these down. This is believed to be a sign of a business folding up, and they are afraid it could bring them bad luck.

He said the association would meet at the end of this month to discuss appropriate ways to convey their view on the matter to the authorities..

"After that, if possible, we would like to meet with the local authorities to discuss the matter," he said.

He disagreed with Mohd Khir that such signboards may influence more people to drink beer and alcohol.

"You can't force a non-drinker to drink, just as you can't force a drinker not to drink. Even if you close down all the shops selling alcohol, those craving for beer would still drink it at home," he said.

Meanwhile, Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) in a statement today also called for a blanket ban on all forms of direct and indirect advertisements for alcohol, including beer.

Its president SM Mohamed Idris was quoted by Bernama as saying about 45 percent of Malaysian youth below the age of 18 consume alcohol regularly and more teenagers were starting to drink at 15.