Chief Minister: Malacca may use model of convenience stores in Thailand, set a time limit for the sale of liquor

Sin Chew Daily, 9 June 2015

(Selangor, Petaling Jaya 9 June) Whether Malacca would impose ban on sale of liquor in designated areas, Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron stresses that the decision has not been made but the state government is considering using Thailand’s model of selling liquor in convenient stores.

He said Thailand imposes time to sell liquor requirement for convenience stores. Such method can be used for convenient stores in the state. However, another question pops up as whether people understand the ruling and may refuse to co-operate.

“If we use the regulation imposed on convenience stores in Thailand, I think we should be able to solve all the problems. But the question is whether people would abide by the regulation? This relates to people’s disciplinary issue.”

Due to factors such as religious restriction, people’s work productivity and road safety, Thailand government has imposed time limit for convenience stores to sell alcoholic beverages from noon to 2pm and 5pm to midnight. Sale of liquor is banned on festivities related to Buddhism and royalties. The ban is also extended to bar, hotel, supermarket, restaurants, entertainment outlets.

Misunderstanding on ban of liquor sale in convenience stores

Idris Haron leads a delegation to visit Sin Chew Daily recently. In an exclusive interview by Sin Chew, he said it was a misunderstanding that the Malacca state government bans convenience stores in the state to sell liquor. The government has not made any decision on ban of liquor sale in convenience stores. The government is collecting feedback on the ground, analyses on religious and ethnic ratio of residents living nearby convenience stores.

“The state government will make a final decision after receiving a report with detailed figures.”

The Chief Minister said he is concerned that if 95% of residents in an area is Muslims, people should understand that convenience stores in the area have no reason to sell liquor as there is no customers. In contrast, if the area is made up of non-Muslims and tourists, liquor sale should not be banned. Tourists would not want to travel far to buy liquor.

“It is not appropriate to ban all convenience stores for sale of liquor. We need to draft a policy which is tourist friendly and also meet the demand of people in different areas. Law is unable to fulfil all people. I can’t please everyone.”

Idris said: “When the issue was hot, a parent believed to be non-Muslim contacted me to say all convenience stores in the state should be banned from selling alcoholic beverages. Liquor should only be sold in appropriate place like hotel and bar. Non-Muslim parents also do not agree to let children buy liquor from convenience stores in an easy way.”

“I have also received a call from Indian non-governmental organisation that since Malays are not supposed to touch alcohol. Why convenience stores hire Malays as staff? I will also be discussing with the management of convenience stores to see whether non-Malays can be hired to selling alcoholic products.”

Original Source: 首長：引用泰便利店模式‧甲州或限時賣酒