KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 ― The Selangor government must explain the ban on the sale of alcohol by traditional Chinese medicine shops, minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said today, pointing out that the alcoholic products at these outlets are used for general health reasons.

Wee, who is also MCA deputy president, also questioned the state government's silence on the matter, pointing out that the DAP had raised hue and cry before when the Malacca government proposed to ban convenient stores from selling alcohol.

“The Selangor state government is duty-bound to explain why they are doing this,” he was quoted saying by The Star Online.

He reportedly added that Chinese medicine shops have been selling alcohol for decades to help with the general health and wellbeing of its predominantly Chinese customers.

“When my grandmother was alive, she would take one small cup of alcohol every day. She was never hospitalised and lived to the age of 89,” he said.

In a letter sighted by Malay Mail Online that was sent to traditional Chinese medicine vendors dated March 11, 2015, the Petaling District Alcohol License Committee warned that the sale of non-medicinal forms of alcohol was strictly prohibited in accordance to the committee’s decision dated January 21, 2015.

The letter also stated that if vendors did not abide by the ban, their alcohol licenses would be revoked.

Earlier today, Selangor Local Government, New Village Development, and Legalising of Factories committee chairman Ean Yong Hian Wah told Malay Mail Online that the state government had nothing to do with the decision.

He explained that the decision was made by the Alcohol License Committee under the District Office, which is chaired by a district officer.

Yong explained that the committee comprises various government officials, including those from the Royal Malaysia Police force and the Customs Department.

“The state doesn’t have a policy to ban alcohol and we didn’t instruct them to make such decision,

“It has already been decided but I know it has received many comments and opposing views and I myself also feel it’s not proper,” he said.

He added that there will be a state assembly meeting next Wednesday to discuss the directive.