Since the issue of beer confiscation brewed from the actions of MBSA in Shah Alam, I had to write something to enlighten readers on some matters. However the menteri besar’s decision not to impose a blanket ban on alcohol in Selangor today is much welcomed.
He further said that convenience stores such as 7-11 outlets should practise self-regulation in beer sales.
The issue of liquor sales has been discussed for a long time since the new MBSA councillors took office in July, 2008. We had so many discussions that nearly in every full council meeting it was debated.
There were always two factions, as some pushed to ban alcohol sales in Shah Alam while another faction protested to say that it was not fair. Even though all were in agreement that liquor is bad and causes social problems but there has to be a balance of regulations and policies taking into account the multiracial country that we live in .
The underlying intention was also to resist any ‘Islamisation’ of Shah Alam. There are those who argued that Shah Alam is different from Petaling Jaya and Klang . Shah Alam is a ‘holy Islamic’ city being closely watched by the Sultan of Selangor .
So, why do we then have the giant Carlsberg factory greeting us as soon as we enter Shah Alam . Those who argue for a total ban of alcohol should first get rid of the Carlsberg factory. Hassan Ali are you willing to do it ?
Anyway coming back to the Shah Alam council. The councillors drafted some guidelines last year. Among things that we agreed are;
1) Locations where alcohol is allowed to be sold are hotel club house, hypermarkets and Chinese medicine shops.
2) New provision ,sundry shops, mini markets and restaurants which wish to sell liquor and beer will be scrutinised according to the areas. New shops in Shah Alam Section 1 to 24 , considered Malay majority will be prohibited from selling beer and liquor.
3) But in other areas such as Sri Muda , U1 to U20 , Kg Baru Sg Buloh , Kota Kemuning , this ban does not apply.
4) However existing shops selling beer and liquor in section 1 to 24 will not be asked to stop, as we decided to maintain status quo. However when these shops renew their licences the council will advise them accordingly to minimise the sale .
5) It must be understood that the authority that gives licence for sale of beer and liquor is the Customs Department, not the council. Thus if the Customs Department has given the licence , the council cannot do anything about it.
6) The council can only advise shop owners. That is exactly what the councillors did, when we called in the management of 7 – Eleven
7) We told them our concern and advised them to control selling beer and liquor in 24 hour convenience shops .
8) The management of 7-Eleven agreed to consider our request.
9) At a later meeting of the council, we had the Customs Department come in and advise us on this matter. We were taken by surprise when they revealed that anything below 8% is not considered as liquor. We were of the impression that 5% and above is considered liquor.
10) The councillors also were made known that the state government was also looking into this matter and was drawing up a policy. So we decided to hear from the state first before we strictly enforced anything.
At no point of time did the councillors or the Datuk Bandar agree to carry out any form of enforcement on this matter.
End of June, 2009 our term as councillors ended , and we (the majority) were re-appointed in July. Since we had two sessions of appointments at different dates, thus no meeting could be held in July. It was during this period that ‘someone’ approved the operation to confiscate alcohol from a shop in Section 8 Shah Alam and later the goods were returned.
Who ordered this enforcement operation? The council never had a meeting, no one knew about this operation. Did the Datuk Bandar know about it? Is the Pengarah Perlesenan dan Penguatkuasa to be blamed?
These are the questions that remain unanswered till today. Besides the issue of beer, the critical matter that we have seen is how after one whole year of Pakatan councillors sitting in to bring ‘ change to the council, looks like nothing much has changed.
With all that shouting and arguing during meetings, it shows that we have only scrapped the tip of the iceberg. The old corrupt, bureaucratic system within the council remains intact. The officers, as we have seen in this case don’t really give a damn about the councillors and the change we intend to bring.
We have called on the MB many times to make significant changes from the top, replace them with people who share the new vision. But unfortunately he has still failed to see the reality of situation .
The call for local council elections too has not seen the way forward in the Selangor state government. The pillars of change cannot be built on the existing bureaucratic mechanism in the councils. There is a need for an overhaul. There is a need for immediate local council elections. After this recent fiasco, will there be change? I hope .
The writer is a Shah Alam City Council councillor.
