POPULAR neighbourhood grocer 99 Speedmart has graciously removed cans of beers from the shelves at its Acasia Business Bloc outlet in Bandar Tasik Puteri, Rawang following protest from Muslim residents in the vicinity.
Following community pressure, the local mosque upon an inspection of the premises during a memorandum submission revealed that all the alcoholic beverages had already been withdrawn and were no longer on display for sale.
“We extend our gratitude to the management of the premises for being sensitive and respectful of the decision and the views of the Muslim majority in this neighbourhood,” penned Masjid Bandar Tasik Puteri (MBTP) in its Facebook page.
“Kudos also to everyone involved in upholding our community’s moral values and well-being by standing against the influence of alcohol.”
Describing its effort as “a collective action to safeguard the harmony and sanctity of our residential area”, the mosque management had earlier staged a formal protest followed by a memorandum submission against the sale of alcoholic beverages at the said outlet at 10pm yesterday (Sept 23).
“This protest was jointly organised by the MBTP, Surau As-Siddiqin and resident representatives from the Acasia blocks and Block 6 of Ivory 2,” it further disclosed.
“Let’s continue to join hands to ensure that the Bandar Tasik Puteri environment remains safe, harmonious and blessed by Allah SWT.”
Not uncommon in Muslim-majority locales
As it is, 99 Speedmart has not implemented a company-wide policy or a so-called nationwide blanket ban alcohol across all Malay or Muslim-majority areas. Alcohol remains available at many of their standard outlets depending on local licensing.
However, some individual outlets of the convivence store may choose not to stock or display alcoholic beverages, particularly those located in sensitive areas near mosques, surau or heavily Malay-Muslim residential communities so as to align with local norm or local authority guidelines.
Nevertheless, it is not uncommon to have occasional NGO ‘visits’ (such as past incidents in Kampung Manjoi, Ipoh or petitions in specific townships) which periodically target convenience store operators in Muslim-majority zones to voluntarily or locally halt alcohol sales out of respect for Muslim staff and residents.
However, these are localised rather than centralised corporate mandates. Nationally, there is no law prohibiting non-Muslims from purchasing alcohol or non-Muslim retailers from selling alcohol though legal restrictions strictly forbid Muslims from buying or consuming alcoholic beverages.
Interestingly, protests against sales of beers have become more frequent nationwide, especially in Malay Muslim majority neighbourhoods with their organsers claim not only to safeguard the sanctity of Islam but also to prevent the handling of alcohol by Speedmart 99’s Muslim staff. – Sept 24, 2026
