The PAS councillor who was behind the proposal for a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol, reversed his decision at the last minute yesterday as he did not want the issue to be politicised.

Mohd Termizi Ismail said he was initially planning to push forward the proposal at the Klang City Council (MPK) monthly meeting yesterday morning.

Contacted by Malaysiakini today, Mohd Termizi said he had to cancel his plan after he was advised by well-wishers that the proposal could become controversial if it was blown out of proportion.

The issue of an alcohol ban in Selangor blew up yesterday following reports in the Chinese newspapers that PAS was pushing for new restrictions through local councils.

beer alcohol ban In the now widely-publicised proposal, Mohd Termizi had suggested that alcohol be sold discreetly; signboards prohibiting Muslims from purchasing alcohol be prominently displayed; only non-Muslims be allowed to manage shops selling alcohol; a special counter be allocated for non-halal products; and a ban on the sale of alcohol at 24-hour convenience stores, sundry shops, mini markets, pharmacies, restaurants and petrol station kiosks.

Mohd Termizi, who confirmed that he wrote the proposal, however, has no clue how it ended up with the media.

Enforcement to be tightened next year

Mohd Termizi today also revealed that he had proposed the alcohol ban to a former Selangor exco member, Abdul Rahman Palil, in 2006, adding that he has been consistent in his efforts to see a ban on the sale of alcohol in the state.

Newspapers today insinuated that there was a movement among PAS-appointed local councillors to keep pushing for the ban after it was rejected by the state government in an exco meeting last month.

khalid ibrahim Following the latest controversy, Selangor menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim yesterday clarified that the move to tighten enforcement on the sale of alcohol will be implemented after consultation with retailers, local councils, related government agencies and NGOs early next year.

He added that the state does not intend to impose a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol but is seeking to step up enforcement on existing restrictions.

The existing restrictions in the state are no sale of alcohol to Muslims as well as those under the age of 18.

It was also reported that the Shah Alam City Council had debated and agreed to curb the sale of alcohol in the city from next January.

When asked about this yesterday, Abdul Khalid said that the city council has been asked to put their decision on hold for now.