SINGAPORE, Jan 30 — Special conditions can be imposed on liquor licenses — such as not allowing alcohol to be sold in glass bottles — if the situation in a particular neighbourhood calls for it.

Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry S Iswaran said this in Parliament yesterday, in response to a question by Chua Chu Kang GRC Member of Parliament Zaqy Mohamad, who had asked whether the Home Affairs Ministry would consider allowing alcohol sold in residential areas to be contained only in plastic or tin containers. This would act as a safety measure in case of unruly behaviour or fights, he said.

Zaqy also noted that countries such as the United Kingdom have regulations on the use of glass bottles. He said glass bottles raise not only riot or safety concerns, but also pose a nuisance in that users break glasses in parks and neighbourhoods.

Iswaran, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, said the Government takes a calibrated approach towards liquor licensing according to the public order situation in a particular area.

Liquor licences issued in residential and non-residential areas carry similar basic conditions. “However, where there are law and order concerns in a particular area or neighbourhood, the licensing authority may decide not to grant licences, or in some cases impose special conditions such as disallowing glass bottles,” he said.

Already, at some events, only alcohol contained in plastic containers can be sold, he noted. The police have also tried ideas such as stopping the sale of bottled beer at Tekka Centre. The initiative came after an incident last August when a man attacked another man with a broken glass bottle.

Iswaran said other factors, such as business considerations and the impact of such conditions on the experience of patrons, must be taken into account, and a balance must be struck.

“But certainly, where the local conditions and situation demand a review in order to impose certain conditions like this, we would certainly look into that,” said Iswaran.

He added that the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Bill, which is set to be debated in Parliament today, will empower the authorities to take even more calibrated measures to manage concerns arising from liquor consumption. ― Today