PR to discuss liquor ban plan

(The Star) PETALING JAYA: The Pakatan Rakyat leadership will discuss PAS Youth’s proposal to ban the sale of alcohol in Muslim-majority areas in Pakatan-held states.

However, PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that there was no alcohol ban in Selangor and that the current policy would continue as it had been approved by the Pakatan leadership.

“They (PAS Youth) are just expressing their views and not imposing them.

“What they did was to come up with a suggestion to be deliberated by the Pakatan Rakyat leadership,” he told a joint press conference yesterday with DAP, PKR and PAS leaders after a Pakatan meeting.

PAS Youth deputy chief Azman Shapawi Ab Rani was reported as saying that the wing would formulate the alcohol ban proposal after holding discussions in Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan and Perak.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, who was also at the press conference, reiterated that there was no ban on alcohol sale in Selangor but said stores could practise self-regulation at Muslim-majority areas.

“We will continue to allow the sale of liquor and alcohol at appropriate places with the proper licence. No one will stop this from happening.”

Anwar also noted the absence of Badrul Hisham Abdullah, the Port Klang assemblyman who is speculated to leave PKR, at a buka puasa function which he and Khalid attended with party leaders in Klang on Sunday.

“He was nowhere to be found. I suspect he was at one place but I would not say where,” Anwar said, smiling.

Khalid said Badrul Hisham’s situation was being monitored and a meeting been planned tomorrow for a discussion with him to ensure his constituents were not neglected.

On the temple relocation problem in Shah Alam, Khalid said discussions were held yesterday between the Shah Alam mayor, the MP, the assemblyman and Section 19 residents committee members.

“The state exco will study the matter before meeting the residents,” he added.