Today, YB Tan Kok Wai, YB Fong Kui Lun and me attended a joint press conference of 8 associations on the suspension of liquor sales licenses by FT Ministry in Kuala Lumpur.
The joint press release is as follow:-
Joint Press Statement on the Suspension of Liquor Sales Licenses in Kuala Lumpur
1. We, The Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Wine and Spirit Chinese Dealer’s Association,
Chinese Drug Dealers Association, Federal Territory and Selangor, Malaysian
Association of Hotels, Associated Liquor Merchants Association of the Federation of
Malaya, The Federation of Malaysia Chinese Commerce Association, Ku Su Shin Association, Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Association of Malaysia, Selangor
and Kuala Lumpur Teochew Sundry Goods Merchants Guild, as well as the privately
and legally operated pubs, bars, restaurants, liquor retailers, wholesalers and importers
wish to express our hardship and suffering caused by the suspension of liquor licensing
by the Ministry of Federal Territories in Kuala Lumpur since 2 June 2020.
2. At the outset, let us be clear that we applaud and fully support the government’s efforts to bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control to ensure businesses return to normal
operations as soon as possible.
3. In addition, the F&B operators and related associations also support the government’s
move to address the drink and drive problems. We would like to work with the
government to actively encourage customers who have consumed liquor not to drive
after drinking.
4. We are sure that the government is fully aware that most of the F&B businesses
remained suspended during the MCO & RMCO period. As a result, we not only suffered a huge loss of income but also a massive depletion of our cash reserves as we honoured our commitments to staff and suppliers as advised by the government.
5. We wish to reiterate that all operators have willingly implemented the necessary social
distancing although our normal seating capacities were reduced by up to 70% in the
process. This reduction of capacity has resulted in a sizeable drop in turnover.
6. Despite this, we are still weathering the storm and continue to employ thousands of
people and give business to the hundreds of suppliers who depend on our ability to
operate to survive. Many of us have also loans to settle which we had taken as capital
expenditure to start our businesses.
7. Many of us will have our liquor licenses expiring in the next few weeks or months and
we will have no choice but to operate without liquor sales licences to keep the workers
and suppliers in their jobs. But in this process, we will be left exposed to raids by both the police and the customs department.
8. As law-abiding citizens, we want to be able to operate legally and wish to observe all
rules and regulations as required. Therefore, we urge the liquor licensing board in DBKL
to be reconvened with the utmost urgency, failing which our livelihood and those of the
hundreds of thousands of people directly and indirectly employed and supported by our
businesses will come to a standstill. This will surely add to the huge number of unemployed Malaysians which has reached nearly a million now.
9. We understand from media reports that the FT Ministry will work with Housing and
Local Government Ministry, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Transport and Customs
Department to draft guidelines on the issuance of liquor licences. In this context, we are very concerned with the proposed changes as the current guidelines and policies on the sales of liquor in F&B outlets are already stringent and adequate.
10. As for the liquor licences, it currently takes a minimum of 3 months to get one
approved or renewed. On top of this, DBKL requires about 5 different licences in many
pubs and bars. This makes the cost incurred in licensing huge and many operators are
burdened by this.
11. In view of the many operators in the F&B and entertainment industries facing expiry
of the liquor sales licences in the coming weeks, we would like to appeal to the FT
Minister to have consultation with us, as the stakeholders, as soon as possible.
12. It is in the interest of the industry, national economy and the job market that this
problem be resolved as soon as possible and without any political interference, which
will only compound matters. Every job and life matters in this challenging moment. So
we wish to cooperate in whatever way possible to help workers keep their jobs and
businesses operate normally.
1. The Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Wine and Spirit Chinese Dealer’s Association
2. Chinese Drug Dealers Association, Federal Territory and Selangor
3. Malaysian Association of Hotels
4. Associated Liquor Merchants Association of the Federation of Malaya
5. The Federation of Malaysia Chinese Commerce Association
6. Ku Su Shin Association
7. Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Association of Malaysia
8. Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Teochew Sundry Goods Merchants Guild
26 July 2020