Akmal Slams Perak Mca For Sounding Alarm Bells Over State Planning To Expand Alcohol Sales Ban

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UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has hit out at Perak MCA for expressing concern that the alcohol beverage sale ban which is already in effect in Manjoi district may be expanded other “100% Muslim” districts.
The polemic has gained momentum after Perak MCA information chief Chung Kok Heung questioned why DAP and PKR leaders denied that such restrictions are underway despite confirmation from Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin.
“The ban is imposed on areas with a Muslim-majority population. It’s your right to buy and sell alcohol but not in places with a Muslim-majority population,” he countered Chung in a Facebook post.

“There’s no written law that prevents non-Muslims from consuming drinking (alcohol) but just don’t buy and sell (the beverage) in places with a Muslim-majority population.
“If you still don’t understand, please set a time and place for us to come and explain (to you) face-to-face. It’s that simple. Just don’t act stupid.”
For more context, Chung has trained his guns on DAP and PKR for “continuing to deceive the public” after Ipoh city councillor Wong Kar Keat (from DAP) and state Housing and Local Government. EXCO Sandrea Ng Shy Shing of PKR recently sought to assure the public that no decision had been made over the matter.
Source: Malay Mail“Is this ignorance or a deliberate attempt to hide the issue to mislead the people?” asked Chung in a Mandarin-language statement cited by Malaysiakini yesterday (Jan 20).
This came about after mayor Rumaizi stated that the Ipoh City Council has approved a policy to conduct studies on requests from residents in Muslim-majority areas before enforcing alcohol sale bans.
He revealed that such a ban was implemented in the Manjoi area in 2020 and 2021 following widespread protests from residents. Following this, Rumaizi disclosed that similar demands have arisen in Ulu Chepor where the population consists entirely of Malay Muslims.
“In principle, we agree,” he reportedly said. However, Rumaizi added that other requests from Tambun, Rapat Setia and Sungai Rokam are still under review. He also did not rule out the possibility of holding public hearings on the issue.
However, former MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker has opposed the move by city councils to ban the sale of liquor and alcoholic drinks “at their whims and fancies even in majority Malay or Muslim areas” given this contravenes or is ultra vires to the Federal Constitution and specific federal laws.

“There is already in existence a specific Excise Duty Act 1976 (governing liquor sales) under the federal law prohibiting the retail sales of any intoxicating liquor unless they (the retailers) have obtained approval or licensed under the said Act,” justified the former deputy youth & sports minister.
“No state law or local bylaws can trump the federal laws and Federal Constitution. Legally speaking, such bans or additional restrictions by local councils are invalid or in contravention with established legal principles and practices.” –  Focus Malaysia

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