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KUALA LUMPUR, (Sept 14 , 2009) : Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is prepared to discuss a plan by PAS Youth to propose guidelines on the sale of liquor but the PR leadership will have a final say in the matter, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
“While we do respect their wishes and sentiments, we also acknowledge the fact that such issues which affect policies will be deliberated by the PR leadership.
“Let us look at their proposal at the next meeting with an open mind. Our stand is that we are open to views … to allow people to express their cultural views on the matter,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the PR leadership council, here.
The meeting, which was attended by PR coalition party leaders including DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang, PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali and Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim of the PKR, was held to discuss several issues including liquor sale in Selangor and the Oct 11 Bagan Pinang state by-election in Negeri Sembilan.
Anwar said the coalition fully supported the fielding of a PAS candidate for the Bagan Pinang by-election. The seat fell vacant following the death of Azman Mohamad Noor, 54, of the Barisan Nasional (BN) on Sept 4.
Abdul Khalid, when asked to comment on the liquor sale guidelines, said the state was still practising self-regulation and would not ban the sale of the product.
“We will continue to allow the sale of liquor but at appropriate places with the appropriate licences,” he said.
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However, he added, considering the mode of self-regulation, all outlets in Muslim-majority areas were advised not to openly sell liquor or display the product on open shelves.
“No display means not selling on open shelves; to ensure that the right people can buy the product and to ensure that there is no unnecessary advertising to initiate the sale of the product,” he said.
Abdul Khalid said he would be meeting all shop owners to discuss the best solution to the matter.
On the status of Port Klang state assemblyman Badrul Hisham Abdullah, who is speculated to leave PKR, Abdul Khalid said efforts to meet the assemblyman had been to no avail.
He said Badrul Hisham had replied to a show-cause letter citing personal problem as the reason for his absence at a state bureau meeting for all party assemblymen and his failure to fulfill his duties as the Port Klang assemblyman.
On the issue of the relocation of a Hindu temple in Shah Alam, Abdul Khalid said he hoped that more time would be given to scrutinise the suggestions from the people and added that there would be a public hearing before any decision was made. — BERNAMA
