KUALA LUMPUR: The requirement for coffee shops to apply for a licence to sell beer beginning Jan 1 next year is not a new regulation and it is also practised in other countries, says Deputy Finance Minister I Mohd Shahar Abdullah.

       “This is a practice not only in Malaysia but also by neighbouring countries and others throughout the world.

       “It is not merely about collecting tax revenue but also on how to control prices of these products,” he said when replying to a question raised by Nga Kor Ming (PH-Teluk Intan) in Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

       Nga had questioned the change in government policy over the licensing of the sale of beer.

       Although the Customs Department could do so under the Excise Regulations 1977, he said the regulation was never used prior to this.

       Nga added that coffee shop operators are already burdened with the need to apply for separate licences for their signages and business operations.

       He claimed that licences to sell beer at coffee shops would cost RM1,340 and this would eventually be passed down to consumers.

       Nga said the need for beer licences also comes in the wake of restrictions on the sale of beer imposed by the Perlis state government.

       Earlier, Shahar informed the House that the Customs Department seized smuggled alcohol and cigarettes worth RM97.34mil involving 2,842 cases last year.

       He said this amounted to losses in tax revenue for the government totalling RM707.14mil.