Kuala Lumpur was the first to ban the sale of liquor and after this policy was implemented, there were several calls from Muslim-majority political parties to impose this same policy nationwide, or at least, the places that they are in power.
Recently, the Perlis state government had through its local councils, imposed a limit on beer sales at coffee shops in the state to only four cartons per day, reported NST.
Besides, a new restriction had been imposed by the Federal Government for businesses to require a licence to sell beer.
China Press also quoted customs officers said both rules will take effect in January, in line with a 1976 excise regulation requirement.
These policies has alarmed DAP’s Lim Guan Eng and he took to Facebook to call out to the government to respect the non-Muslims and accepted their differences. Only then Malaysians can live in harmony, he said.
Lim also said this is another sign of further erosion of non-Muslim rights in the country. He said this in a response to a customs department briefing to kopitiam and restaurant operators in Perlis, warning them of a crackdown on those selling beer at their outlets without getting a liquor licence.
In a statement, Lim said these coffee shops and restaurants are now required to pay more than RM1,000 in customs liquor licences at a time when business had slumped during the pandemic.
He said the licence ruling will affect thousands of coffee shops and restaurants, which only make small profit margin from selling beer.
He added that some coffee shops may be forced to stop selling beer because of the high licence fees.
“Is this the outcome intended and the real political motivation of the federal government to comply with the wishes of the extremist party, PAS?”
“This is about deliberately imposing unnecessary restrictions and interfering in the lifestyle and business practices of non-Muslims that have remained undisturbed since Merdeka just to satisfy PAS.” he said.
Earlier, the PAS-led Kedah state government had announced that it would curb alcohol sales in “low-demand” areas and ban 4D gaming shops.
Lim then asked the non-Muslim Cabinet members, including those from Sabah and Sarawak, why they did not object to such a ruling.
Besides, he said DAP’s legal team would now study the issue and immediately take the matter to court.
“DAP urges local governments, especially in Pakatan Harapan-controlled states, not to implement such regulations that restrict and limit the existing rights of non-Muslims.” he said.
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