New liquor licence guidelines will factor in sensitivities, sale hours - minister
PARLIAMENT | Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa said new guidelines for the granting of liquor sale licences will consider several factors including sensitivities and sale time.
He told the Dewan Rakyat that Kula Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) aimed to complete the guidelines in early August after which the licensing board will convene and decide on the granting of licences in accordance with the new guidelines.
PARLIAMENT | Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa said new guidelines for the granting of liquor sale licences will consider several factors including sensitivities and sale time.
He told the Dewan Rakyat that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) aimed to complete the guidelines in early August after which the licensing board will convene and decide on the granting of licences in accordance with the new guidelines.
Annuar was responding to Wong Hon Wai (Bukit Bendera-DAP) who asked about the Federal Territories Ministry's decision in May to suspend the issuance of new liquor sale licences pending new guidelines.
In a follow-up question, Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (Kuala Krai-PAS) asked if the government intend to limit the sale of alcohol in Muslim areas in Kuala Lumpur.
Annuar noted that the sale of alcohol had become more lax which was why the new guidelines were necessary.
"All aspects will be considered including the sensitivities of an area, the sale hours and the premises that are selling.
"The guidelines need to be completed so that (the licensing) will become more orderly without denying the right of anyone who wants to buy or sell alcohol," he said.
Earlier, Wong had asked why the guidelines were still not ready with it being 58 days since the suspension of new liquor sale licences. He also questioned if stakeholders were consulted.
Annuar said stakeholders were welcomed to provide feedback on the guidelines.
The minister added criticisms against the suspension by the opposition appeared to be exaggerated.
"YB does not need to worry about delays. The (licensing) board has only not convened for 1.5 months.
"Under the previous Pakatan Harapan government, the board did not convene for more than a year from May 2018 until September 2019," he said.
He also addressed concerns that existing licence holders may not be able to renew them, pointing out that most of these licences would only expire in September.
It's not September yet. To date, the application to renew only involves 200 plus licenses. There is still time before they expire," he said.
He added that there were only 69 new applications were received during the suspension period.
"I have appointed five new (licensing) board members and they will be given clear guidelines.
"They will not have absolute power to issue licences without clear guidelines," he said.
Annuar explained the suspension was made following concerns over a series of drink-driving incidents that led to deaths.
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