No 'public drinking policy' gazetted in Selangor - Exco

Selangor has not gazetted any policy on public consumption of alcohol related to action against individuals drinking openly in public places, said Local Government, New Village Development and Legalising of Factories Committee chairman Ean Yong Hian Wah.

However, he said, the local authorities and the police could take action if intoxicated individuals became a nuisance to others.

"The local authorities can take action against drunkards who disrupt the peace in their respective areas and the police too can take action on reports lodged against drunk and disorderly people," he told the state legislative assembly today.

Ean Yong (DAP-Seri Kembangan) said this in reply to Datuk Rosni Sohar (BN-Hulu Bernam) who had asked if Selangor had gazetted a public drinking policy which prohibited the open consumption of alcohol in public areas and the action that could be taken against offenders.

In addition, he said, there is a provision under Section 18 (1)(2) of the Selangor Syariah Criminal Enactment 1995 which could be imposed on Muslims found guilty of drinking liquor.

Ean Yong said the state government was willing to consider a policy similar to the public drinking policy in order to regulate alcohol drinking with clearer perimeters.

For now, he said, the state government has set liquor sale guidelines for the local authorities which, among others, prohibit the sale of liqour to anyone under 18 years and sets a specific distance between liquor business premises and houses of worship such as mosques and temples, government offices, schools, hospitals and residential areas.

"Another requirement is for liquor dealers to adhere to the rule on operating hours for liquor sales which limits sales up to midnight and ensures that customers do not drink in front of the shops and in the open," he said. -- BERNAMA