By Gigian Chin
KUALA LUMPUR — Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim had another meeting with Kuala Lumpur NGOs and business representatives to discuss the Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) licensing guidelines for liquor selling; He promised to resolve this issue the ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ spirit and concept.
Delegates included members from the Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Associations of Malaysia (FSGMAM), Chinese Drug Dealers Association (CDDA), Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall (KLCAH) , Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Excise Licensing Board (ELBKL), and officers from DBKL licensing & business development department.
Shahidan and the attendees acknowledged that this issue needs to be addressed professionally and objectively, and without any racial, religious or political involvement.
The delegates agreed that all providers in Kuala Lumpur must strictly comply with all regulations on the sale of liquor, including premises that are selling liquor must be located 100 meters away from houses of worship, schools, hospitals, clinics; and 10 stores away from another liquor store.
In addition, the providers will cooperate with the relevant authorities in their efforts to eliminate illegal liquor and will not sell any inferior liquor that has not been approved by the Customs Department. Meanwhile, liquor will only be sold to non-Muslims over 21 years olds and the cabinet must be locked.
Nevertheless, the delegates agreed that the liquor selling issue also involved the Ministry of Finance and the Customs Department, therefore further follow-up with these two units is needed.
The delegates included the FSGMAM President Hong Chee Meng, President of CDDA Loh Kim Fong, , KLCAH President Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan, Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Steven Lee, and member of ELBKL Datuk Rajah a/l Symon and Gobi Krishnan, and DBKL licensing & business development department deputy director Najib and Senior officer Kadir.
