KUALA LUMPUR: The National Security Council (NSC) has ordered all factories producing alcohol in Malaysia to immediately shut down and stop operating during the total lockdown.
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this evening the alcoholic drinks are not considered as “essential products” or “basic necessities”.
The move came after approval letters for certain alcoholic beverage factories to operate during the current “total lockdown” went viral on social media and sparked questions by netizens on whether this was appropriate.
“Although the permission to operate is given to food and beverages-based factories, but it is only for essential needs only. Therefore, alcoholic beverages factories are not included in the category of essential needs.
“In line with that, the government today agrees for all alcoholic beverages factories throughout the country to be closed immediately,” Ismail Sabri clarified in a statement today.
Malaysia is under the third movement control order (MCO 3.0), a total lockdown, from June 1 to June 14. Only businesses selling essential products such as food and medicine are allowed to operate. _ Malaysia World News
