Two Malacca MCA leaders have refuted reports saying alcohol sale has been banned at 7-Eleven outlets in areas that are 90 percent Muslim.

Lim Ban Hong and Lai Meng Chong told Malaysiakini yesterday that the state executive council (exco) did not pass any such motion at its Wednesday meeting.

While the convenience outlet representatives have been asked to brief them at the meeting, the issue, the exco members said, is still under study.

“This suggestion is still in the discussion stage. It has not yet been passed by exco meeting,” Lim ( left )said when contacted.

Exco member Lai stressed that the state government has never stopped or placed any restrictions on any 7-Eleven outlet from selling alcohol.

On Wednesday, China Press reported Malacca Chief Minister Idris Harun's announcement that the state exco had decided to ban alcohol sale by 7-Eleven outlets in Muslim-majority neighbourhoods.

Lai said these outlets made their own decision whether to sell or not, based on their customer demography.

“For instance, 7-Eleven told us that Malim was majority non-Muslim, therefore they do sell it there. However, Kuala Sungai Baru is 80 percent Muslim and the outlet decided not to sell any alcohol there,” said Lai.

Acting on complaints

According to Lim, the state government had received complaints about some young Muslims buying alcoholic drinks sold in these outlets.

The state government then requested 7-Eleven to brief it at the exco meeting.

“At the briefing, 7-Eleven revealed that it had already stopped selling alcohol in some Muslim-majority neighbourhoods due to the religious sensitivities and also, the low economic returns (on beer sales),” said Lim.

After the briefing, Lim said the chief minister instructed the exco members to study the issue, including collecting data, such as the percentage of Muslim population in the different areas. 

“So we need to wait until the report comes out. Then only will we have further discussions and make a decision,” stressed Lim.

Lim said the media report that a ban had been passed was wrong.

Yesterday, Gerakan Youth secretary-general William Chang criticised the Malacca government for not considering the fact that convenience stores also cater to non-Muslim residents and tourists.

On the criticism, Lim said that the exco will take into account the interests of all affected parties before coming to a decision.