PETALING JAYA: The so-called revocation of requiring licensing for sale of beer announced by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong is no revocation at all because the decision whether to impose licensing fees of up to RM1,300 is now given to the state government’s licensing authority, Lim Guan Eng said today.
The DAP secretary-general pointed out that this is different from the current position where the Finance Ministry makes the same recommendation that was made for the last 45 years under the 1976 Excise Act that there was no need to license the sale of beer as alcohol.
“If Wee claims that the issue is resolved, then the Finance Minister should announce that the decision whether to impose licensing on sale of beer should not be surrendered to the respective state licensing authority but must revert back to the previous position for the last 45 years,” Lim said in a statement.
“Clearly, this is a Federal power exercised by the Finance Minister because selling liquor without a license can be fined RM50,000 under the 1976 Excise Act and not under state laws.”
Lim asked why power should be given to the state licensing authority which was not there.
“By surrendering his powers to the respective state government is an abdication of responsibility to exercise power over what is within the purview of the Finance Ministry,” he said.
“For Pakatan Harapan-controlled state governments, the restaurant and coffee shop operators are safe but what about other state governments deeply influenced by PAS extremist policies that adversely affect the customary lifestyle and normal business practices of non-Muslims.”
The Bagan MP said the Finance Ministry will remain silent and do nothing when some state governments influenced by the extremist PAS policies decide to impose alcohol licensing fees on coffee shops and restaurants.
“Even Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur banned sundry shops, convenience stores and Chinese medicine halls from selling liquor which had been sold undisturbed since Merdeka in 1957 even though DBKL knows that this is sold only to non-Muslims.
“For this reason, at a meeting with the association KL-Selangor Coffee Shops and Restaurant operators yesterday, reiterated their position that the Federal government must revert to the previous position that automatically permits coffee shops and restaurants to continue to sell beer without paying fees of alcohol license up to RM1,300.
“Wee’s acceptance of letting state licensing authorities to decide is irresponsible and unacceptable to restaurant and coffee shop operators because beer sales which were never required to be licensed before, now may be subject to some state governments imposing licensing fees,” he added.
