Talks ongoing over ban on sale of alcohol in KL, says FT minister

Discussions on banning the sale of liquor at sundry and grocery shops, convenience stores as well as Chinese medicine shops in the federal capital are still ongoing to reach a consensus between all parties involved before the ban is enforced, Federal Territories Minister Shahidan Kassim said today.

Previously, he said several meetings were held with the parties involved including Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh) to get their views on the liquor licence guidelines.

He said the Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s decision to postpone the restriction on liquor sales until Oct 31 was to provide space for further discussions.

“We are still having meetings… we not only need to think about (the interests) of the sellers, but also the buyers. The Malaysian Family government respects Muslims and non-Muslims,” he said during question time in the Dewan Rakyat.

Although certain premises will not be allowed to sell liquor, non-Muslims can still get it at permitted locations such as hotels, pubs, bars and stores that exclusively sell liquor, he said.