This is another sign of further erosion of non-Muslim rights in the country, the DAP secretary-general said in response to a customs department briefing to kopitiam and restaurant operators in Perlis, warning them of a crackdown on those selling beer at their outlets without getting a liquor licence.
The Perlis government, via its local councils there, has further limited beer sales to four cartons a day, it was reported.
Both rules will take effect in January, with China Press quoting customs officers as saying this followed the requirements of a 1976 excise regulation.
In a statement today, Lim said these coffee shops and restaurants would now be required to pay more than RM1,000 in customs liquor licences at a time when business had slumped during the pandemic.
He said the licence ruling would affect thousands of coffee shops and restaurants, which only make small profits from selling beer.
Lim said some coffee shops might be forced to stop selling beer because of the high licence fees.
“Is this the outcome intended and the real political motivation of the federal government to comply with the wishes of the extremist party, PAS?
“This is about deliberately imposing unnecessary restrictions and interfering in the lifestyle and business practices of non-Muslims that have remained undisturbed since Merdeka just to satisfy PAS,” he said.
The PAS-led Kedah government had earlier announced that it would curb alcohol sales in “low-demand” areas and ban 4D gaming shops.
Lim asked the non-Muslim Cabinet members, including those from Sabah and Sarawak, why they did not object to such a ruling.
He said DAP’s legal team would now study the issue and immediately take the matter to court.
“DAP urges local governments, especially in Pakatan Harapan-controlled states, not to implement such regulations that restrict and limit the existing rights of non-Muslims,” he said.
Short notice alarms PJ coffee shops
The Petaling Jaya Coffeeshop Association said outlets selling beer were only informed of the requirement for a new licence three weeks ago.
Association president Keu Kok Meng said businesses had been taken aback by the sudden requirement.
“Definitely, we feel a bit shortchanged by the short notice. So, we will certainly appeal the decision. In fact, we have written to the ministry, seeking for reconsideration,” he was quoted as saying by the news portal The Vibes.
Keu said the new licensing policy could force many coffee shops to cease operations, as the licence costs between RM840 and RM1,320 a year.
“Today, we already have 20%-30% of our association members closing shop because of the impact of the pandemic. So this is just terrible timing, particularly considering the amount of money and red tape involved,” he was quoted as saying.