SIBU: The licensing regulations for alcoholic drinks here will not be reviewed said Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Councillor Clarence Ting.
Ting said this in response to enquiries from the public as to whether the council would emulate MBKS (Kuching South City Council) which was reviewing its licensing regulations.
“I don’t think the alcohol ban in Kuala Lumpur will affect Sarawak. The original issue was driving under the influence (DUI) that led certain political parties to call for a ban on alcohol,” he said.
He then urged all those who drank to be responsible by not driving when they were under the influence of alcohol.
“It is dangerous for you and the public. You know when you shouldn’t be driving,” he said.
He added that the core issue was DUI and not whether or not alcohol was sold in the market.
KL City Hall has also frozen the granting of new liquor licences effective immediately.
Last Tuesday, a report said the City Hall would check on unlicensed liquor premises following several recent cases of drunk drivers having accidents including a case early Monday when a motorcyclist was rammed by a drunk driver.
Meanwhile, the Transport Ministry is working to get the Road Transport Act 1987 amended in order to increase the punishment for those found guilty of driving under the influence and those who drove recklessly.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said he chaired a special meeting on June 1 to discuss amendments to Section 41 to 45 of the Road Transport Act 1987 or Act 333.
On his Facebook page, Dr Wee said that punishments provided under the Acts would be increased in order to deter driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Currently, Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 provides for a minimum fine of RM8,000 and a maximum of RM20,000 and a jail sentence of not less than three years and not more than 10 for a person convicted of drink driving which caused death.
