KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has frozen all new applications for liquor licences and will increase enforcement on premises that sell alcohol in efforts to curb the drink-driving menace.

“Enforcement action will be taken against premises that sell alcohol without a licence,” DBKL said in a statement today.

This follows a statement from Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa yesterday that the government should stop issuing new licences for the sale of liquor until a legal review is done.

He said local authorities must tighten regulations on licences for shops selling alcoholic drinks, following recent drink-driving accidents.

“With accidents involving drink drivers occurring frequently, it is apt to freeze the issuance of new permits for the sale of alcohol until a legal review is done and guidelines implemented.

“Also, premise licensing… must be tightened,” he tweeted.

Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong said his ministry is finalising amendments to the Road Transport Act and promised harsher punishment for those convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

In a Facebook post last night, Wee said the amendments will be brought to cabinet for approval before subsequently being tabled during the next sitting of Parliament.

“We will definitely impose heavier penalties and longer jail terms on the driver of the vehicle. Especially those who are intoxicated and under the influence of drugs, we will not compromise and they will be subject to the heaviest penalties,” Wee had said. – June 2, 2020.