Strong public support for restrictions on liquor sale and consumption

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There is strong public support to shorten the retail sale hours of liquor and to restrict its public consumption, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Friday (Nov 7).

A public consultation conducted by the ministry on the proposals received 395 pieces of written feedback.

The lessons learnt during 2013's Little India riot was taken into account during the public consultations. The incident claimed the life of one foreign worker. More than 50 responding officers were injured, and more than 20 emergency vehicles were damaged.

Since then, temporary measures have been put in place that will be in effect till April next year. These measures include prohibiting alcohol consumption in public spaces from 6am on Saturday to 6am on Monday.

Of the 246 pieces of written feedback on restricting the public consumption of liquor, 83 per cent expressed support, MHA said.

In Phase 2 of the consultation, 88 per cent of the 43 pieces of written feedback received either supported a partial ban – by time or place – or a wider ban, where alcohol consumption would be banned in all public places at all times.

Of the 624 persons who participated in an e-poll, 88 per cent were also in favour of implementing the restrictions at congregation areas.

However, most of the focus group participants said a blanket islandwide ban on public consumption would be “too extreme and restrictive”, and that a partial ban - for example, starting from 10pm - would be more reasonable.

Some participants also suggested imposing additional restrictions in areas with higher crime rates and incidence of disorderliness, MHA said.

The full set of liquor control measures will be announced in the first quarter of 2015.