Ban on alcohol in Malaysia's central city triggers disputes: newspaper
August 5, 2009 9:20 am
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 5 — A measure to ban sales of alcohol in convenient stores in Shah Adam, capital of Malaysia's central state of Selangor, triggered disputes as arguments intensified among the state's ruling parties.
The two component parties of the ruling "opposition" coalition in the state, named Pakatan Rakyat (People's Alliance), have started to sound different views over a recent beer raid in Shah Adam.
The Islamic Party of Malaysia(PAS)'s Selangor State Chairman Hassan Ali on Tuesday accused Ronnie Liu, from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), for meddling in a recent action by the Shah Adam City Council (MBSA) to confiscate beer worth 620 ringgit (177.1 U.S. dollars) from a convenient store, local newspaper The Star said on Wednesday.
The Selangor State embraces several major cities near here, including Shah Adam, Petaling Jaya and Port Klang.
Hassan said that Liu should not get involved in the action taken by MBSA and he also wanted Liu to be removed from the state government's executive council.
Hassan added that the Selangor's PAS was pushing for ban on the sale of beer at 24-hour convenience stores in Muslim-majority areas, according to the daily.
The Selangor State was regulating guidelines of the sale of beer and the guidelines were expected to be finalized at the end of the month.
Meanwhile, Liu commented that the seizure of the beer was an over-enthusiastic action and he said that he has the right to question the actions of MBSA, the daily said.
Liu had ordered officers of MBSA to return the beer products confiscated last week to the convenience store.
While, City Mayor Mazalan Md Noor urged the convenience stores to cooperate and not sell beer in Muslim-majority neighborhoods. (PNA/Xinhua)
DCT/ebp
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