Selangor will not compel coffee shops to apply for licence to sell beer

PETALING JAYA: Selangor will not enforce the ruling to compel coffee shop operators to apply for a licence to sell beer at their premises.

Selangor local government, public transportation and new village development committee chairman Ng Sze Han said after a discussion with Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (pic) on the matter, they decided the state will not enforce the directive that requires a licence for the retail sales of alcoholic beverages in coffee shops.

“This is an additional burden for them because they don’t make a profit from selling beer.

“And with the cost of RM1,300 a year for the licence during the pandemic when they are recovering it will be a burden and this fee should not be imposed,” Ng told a press conference on Tuesday (Dec 7) at the Petaling Jaya Coffee Shop Association.

Earlier, the Finance Ministry had directed the Customs Department to cancel its directive to enforce liquor licence requirements for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages, as announced by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Dr Wee had also said that on Nov 23, the Finance Ministry issued an official letter to instruct the Customs Department to cancel the implementation of making liquor licences compulsory for selling alcoholic drinks.

This is because, added Dr Wee, “the Finance Ministry had in 1977 authorised the mentri besar and chief ministers to handle this matter through the Licensing Board under their respective local government”.

“The Customs Department is part of the Licensing Board of each state and has no power to instruct restaurants and coffee shops to apply for liquor licences.

“Therefore, the Finance Ministry cancelled the circular issued on April 7 which requested business owners to apply for liquor licences from the Customs Department before Dec 31,” said Dr Wee.