Sabah government urged to make stand on alcohol license

10 Dec 2021 By Wartawan Nabalu News KOTA KINABALU: Sabah DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) has called on the State Government to make a stand on the revocation of liquor license for restaurants amd coffee shops. DAPSY Kota Kinabalu Chief cum Luyang State Assemblyman Chief Liaison Officer Chan Loong Wei said this in response to the Minister of Finance, Tengku Zafrul's statement denying that the government has revoked the liquor license measure for restaurant and coffee shops to sell alcohol. “Previously, it was reported that restaurants and coffee shops selling beer will be required to apply for a new license from Jan 1 as part of a new federal government policy. “Annual license fees between RM840 and RM1,320 would be charged to the businesses depending on operation hours. “I hope that the State Government will take into consideration that many local coffee shops and restaurant owners have suffered financially from the pandemic and half baked SOPs,” he said in a statement today. According to Chan, by implementing the policy forcefully with such short notice, it would only further harm the domestic economy and discourage economic recovery. “I hope that the Minister of Housing and Local Government, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun will consider waiving the license fee and not implement the federal policy. “Many coffee shops and restaurants have a habit of selling some beer to non-Islamic customers. If they were to apply for the alcohol license, the process itself would take up to months as it is complex. “The State Government must discuss with related stakeholders before implementing any policies that would affect the public widely,” he asserted. He also strongly condemned the statement released by MCA President Wee Ka Siong that has triggered public confusion. “As a Minister, he would've known better and should not release a statement that is now contradicting the Finance Minister. “If the Minister of Finance has not revoked such policies, what is Wee trying to claim credit for? Or does Wee think that delegating to state governments to decide is an achievement to be proud of? “MCA President should publicly apologise for creating confusion and step down as a Minister for his incompetence again and again. The people are tired of him trying to act heroic over and over.”