How are store owners reacting to the alcohol sales ban deferment?

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Store Owners Express Indifference to Alcohol Sales Ban Deferment

Store owners in Kuala Lumpur have largely reacted with indifference to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) decision to defer the ban on alcohol sales from October 1 to October 31. Many believe this one-month postponement will have a negligible impact on their earnings, citing the prevailing challenging business climate exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Some proprietors have already ceased alcohol sales due to factors such as high annual licensing fees, exceeding RM400, and a decline in demand for certain alcoholic beverages.
Limited Impact of One-Month Deferment

The one-month deferment of the alcohol sales ban is viewed by many affected business owners as insufficient to meaningfully alter their financial prospects. For instance, Low Pak Koon, who operates a traditional Chinese medicine hall, stated that a month's difference in the implementation of the ban is pointless, having already decided to stop selling alcohol due to the costly licensing. Similarly, a shop assistant at Kedai Runcit, Ubat dan Arak Yee Hong estimated a potential loss of approximately 20 per cent of their monthly revenue due to the ban, suggesting that even with the deferment, the overall financial impact remains significant.
Concerns Over Policy Instability and Practicality

Business owners have voiced frustration over what they perceive as inconsistent policymaking. Ng Chee Yat highlighted that such "flip-flop policies" are highly disruptive to businesses, emphasizing the need for carefully considered and stable regulations. Low Pak Koon further suggested that DBKL should adopt a more practical approach to policy-making, focusing on aspects like tax collection rather than framing regulations from a religious perspective. The increasing complexity of obtaining multiple licenses for various business operations was also cited as a significant hurdle.
Impact on Supply Chains and Revenue

The impending ban has already affected supply chains, with a Chinese medicine hall worker reporting that their rice wine wholesaler ceased supplying them in anticipation of the restriction. This has impacted their ability to prepare certain medicinal herbs that require rice wine. Furthermore, the government stands to lose tax revenue from alcohol sales, as noted by the same worker, who described the move as a "silly move" that affects revenue streams. Cheung, the owner of Kedai Runcit, Ubat dan Arak Yee Hong, anticipates that the ban will directly reduce his business income.

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How are store owners reacting to the alcohol sales ban deferment?

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