The Melaka state government today denied that it has banned alcohol sale in Malay-majority area in Malacca.

"There's no standing instruction from the state government to any local authorities to ban alcohol selling," Chief Minister Idris Haron told a press conference.

Idris ( photo ) was refuting news reports quoting state executive councillor Ismail Othman, as saying that four local authorities will ban alcohol sale in Malay-majority areas.

The affected Malay-majority areas named come under the jurisdiction of Historical Malacca City Council, Jasin Municipal Council, Alor Gajah Municipal Council and Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council.

Idris, however, admitted the local authorities were conducting a survey on whether there is a need to implement such ban.

The survey done by Historical Malacca City Council is now 80 percent complete, while surveys by other local authorities are still in the process, he said.

The state government will decide once it obtains all the fact and figures, said the Sungai Udang state assemblyperson.

The state is not restricting the alcohol sale, he stressed.

Sin Chew Daily earlier quoted Ismail as saying that areas with 70 percent Malay population might be affected by the ban.

The state government earlier this year was reported to have attempted an alcohol ban in 7-Eleven outlets located in neighbourhoods where 90 percent of the population are Muslim.

However, two Malacca MCA leaders Lim Ban Hong and Lai Meng Chong refuted the reports, claiming this it is still in discussion stage.