New liquor ban in Kuala Lumpur ignites debate on race and religion

KUALA LUMPUR - A new rule banning the sale of liquor at certain types of grocers in Kuala Lumpur from next year has ignited a debate around the liberties and rights enjoyed by non-Muslims, who make up more than one-third of Malaysia's population.

Opposition lawmakers and civil society members have described the ban as a violation of non-Muslims' freedom to practise their culture, which is provided for by the Federal Constitution. Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Wine and Spirit Chinese Dealer's Association secretary Albert Chooi, in a report in Free Malaysia Today, estimated that the ruling would affect some 300 sundry shops, medicine shops and convenience stores.

"If curbing of liquor sales is because of drink driving, there are better ways to tackle the problem," Brigadier-General Arshad said in a statement on Sunday , adding that any decision should include consultation with the business community and not just a"show making select group". Mr Hanipa Maidin, an opposition lawmaker from Parti Amanah Negara and a former deputy minister, labelled the move as unconstitutional.

Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa, who cited drink-driving incidents in freezing the liquor licences previously, had defended the move as"not unusual", citing restrictions in selling liquor in several European countries as well as in Singapore.

In the competitive politics of Malaysia, expect to see more such bans as political parties trying to woo the fundamentalists among the Muslims. Surely the cultural rights minority Chinese and Indian communities will be compromised.

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Home alone: A reunion dinner of one in Kuala Lumpur this Chinese New YearCOMMENTARY, Feb 11 – It will soon be the Year of the Metal Ox. Depending on which particular Chinese Zodiac you fall under, fortunes could differ dramatically. As they say, your mileage may vary....
Source: YahooSG - 🏆 3. / 71 Read more »

Jetstar Asia to resume daily flights to Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta from Dec 15BUDGET carrier Jetstar Asia will resume daily services from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, it said in a press statement on Wednesday. It will also increase services from the Republic to Jakarta to nine per week. The changes take effect from Dec 15. Read more at The Business Times.
Source: BusinessTimes - 🏆 15. / 51 Read more »

Yesterday's Kuala Lumpur trackwork by Sunday's horsesSTAYER STAKES A - 1,800M Mr Hopkins 36.5. Shanghai Nights canter/39. Aidehour canter/39.5. SUPREME B - 1,400M Brother Wind 36.5. Premium Rush 40.5. Metier Star canter/40.9. Turf Princess canter/38.3. Magnum King barrier/35.6. SUPREME B -...
Source: thenewpaper - 🏆 7. / 63 Read more »

Sunday's Kuala Lumpur ResultsRACE 1 1st 3 Introit ($63-$19) 2nd 4 Winterfell ($20) 3rd 8 Merchant Marine ($14) 4th 7 Trumps Up Forecast $112 Place forecast (3-4) $24, (3-8) $11, (4-8) $22 Tierce $994 Trio $202 Quartet No winner ($4,481 carried...
Source: thenewpaper - 🏆 7. / 63 Read more »

Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed-Rail project can wait, says Dr MahathirKUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 — Construction for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project can wait another 10 to 20 years as it is not important, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad... Mahathir is pro cars. Then why you agreed to pay millions for a one year extension... Don’t talk Bayar sahaja
Source: YahooSG - 🏆 3. / 71 Read more »