GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has lifted the three-day ban on the sale of alcohol at almost all outlets along the routes of the chariot processions during the Thaipusam festival with immediate effect.
The ban would still be in effect for five premises selling alcoholic beverages (liquor) on Gottlieb Road and Utama Road.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) said the lifting of the ban for 51 out of 56 premises was decided after the Thaipusam celebration meetings on Jan 22.
"After further scrutinisation, the state local government committee chairman Jason H'ng and MBPP found that there was no need for this ban to cover the entire Thaipusam procession route.
"It is sufficient to implement this restriction only on Gottlieb Road and Utama Road, as has been the practice every year during Thaipusam," the statement said.
The statement said MBPP officers had started to retract the ban notices from 51 outlets from the morning of January 24.
The statement also said that H'ng gave instructions that any proposals and decisions regarding the prohibition of the sale of alcoholic beverages (liquor) in the future should be referred to the state government, namely the executive council, to make a decision.
