THE Central PAS Ulama Council (DUPP) has urged the government to implement stringent alcohol sales licensing guidelines following frequent cases of fatal road accidents stemming from driving under the influence of alcohol.
This comes about after the Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) licensing division had withdrawn the alcohol sales license guidelines that were first introduced on 1 November 2021 without a solid reason, according to DUPP chief Datuk Ahmad Yahaya.
“The imposed guidelines took into account the factors of (alcohol) sales in densely populated non-Muslim areas as well as appropriate timing for sales to take place,” the Pokok Sena MP pointed put in a recent media statement.
“Those guidelines were previously introduced following rising cases of fatal accidents involving driving under the influence of alcohol which has become a concern of the Malaysian community at that time.”
Added Ahmad: “Unfortunately, the guidelines that should have been exemplary were abolished when the leadership changed. Are those quarters who support the widespread sale of alcohol prepared to be held responsible for accident cases caused by driving under the influence of alcohol?”
However, a check by FocusM revealed that DBKL has denied lifting the ban on the sale of alcohol/liquor at grocers, convenience stores or Chinese medicine shops after news of such development went viral late last year.
“There has been no repeal to the freezing of new licenses issuance for the sale of alcohol/liquor at grocers, convenience stores and Chinese medicine shops given they are still subject to the guidelines and licensing conditions for sale of alcohol (intoxicating liquor) which are enforced in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.”
In addition, the PAS DUPP also urged the government to impose a zero-tolerance policy against drunk drivers considering that amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 in 2021 “are still insufficient to serve as deterrent to prevent drunk driving from continuing to happen.
“We need to move on to the micro aspects of the policy involving definition, licensing and enforcement which are all subject to the Excise Act 1976,” contended Ahmad who is also the Kedah PAS state commissioner.
“In addition, campaigns and education programmes to avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages should be introduced openly to ensure that the general public is educated about prospect of endangering lives when one is driving under the influence of alcohol.”
Recall that local media has reported the road accident involving national kayak athlete Siti Nurul Masyitah Elias who suffered serious injuries after being involved in an accident in Johor Bahru.
According to the report, the incident took place on the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) Highway on May 11 when the motorcycle she was riding was hit and dragged for 600 meters by a car believed to be driven by a drunk man.
Siti Nurul Masyitah who was the bronze medal winner of the 2023 SEA Games through the dragon boat kayaking event had recently undergone two simultaneous six-hour surgeries – one on her right shoulder and another on her pelvic bone – at the Columbia Asia Hospital in Iskandar Puteri. – May 20, 2024
