SHAH ALAM: Claims that the state government have banned the sale of alcohol in traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) shops are not fair as this was not the case, Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali said today.
He clarified that TCM shops were given approval to sell medicinal liquors but not the license to sell non-medicinal alcohol as that required a separate license.
"The license to sell medicinal liquors we have given, but to sell alcohol, that comes under a separate provision," Azmin clarified after chairing a weekly Selangor Economic Action Council meeting at the state secretariat building, here, today.
Other outlets such as supermarkets and 7-11, he pointed out, had to obtain a special liquor license to sell alcohol.
TCM shops, he said, also had to follow the same procedure if they wanted to sell non-medicinal liquor.
"I read the reports, (they are) not fair. As if we are banning (the sale of alcohol), no.
"We just want to ensure all parties and operators follow certain procedures and processes," he stressed.
He added that TCM shops could submit their applications to sell such alcohol and the authorities, including the police and Customs Department will look into it.
He will also be meeting up with the TCM shop operators and the Petaling District Licensing Committee to iron out the issues pertaining this matter.
It was earlier reported that the committee had caused an uproar when they issued letters to TCM shops stating that the sale of non-medicinal forms of liquor was prohibited and if such terms were violated, their alcohol licenses would be revoked.