12-month liquor license freeze being proposed

Legislators seek total stop on new licenses.

Singapore legislators are proposing a new bill that will, in part, put a pause on new liquor licenses for a full year as a stopgap measure before stricter laws are in place to deter erring license holders in response to the 2013 Little India riot.

"Until the Ministry of Home Affairs concludes its review of the liquor licensing regime under the Customs Act, taking into consideration the recommendations of the COI [Committe of Inquiry], no new liquor licences or extension of trading hours for existing licences, will be granted for establishments in the special zone," said Mr S Iswaran, Minister in Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade & Industry during the second reading of the Public Order (Additional Temporary Measures) Bill.

The bill will allow the Police to continue to take calibrated measures to maintain public order and calm in Little India, according to the Minister.

Further explaining the liquor license freeze, he said Clause 18 of the Bill will give effect to this freeze for the next 12 months. However, renewals and the transfer of existing liquor licences, and variation of such licence conditions may be allowed, provided they are consistent with the restrictions imposed under the Bill.

All these will remain subject to assessment by the Liquor Licensing Board (LLB).

But the Minister warned liquor licenses that there will be swifter repercussions for breaking the law.

"If there is evidence to suggest that the holder of a liquor licence or other business licence (such as that for food establishments, public entertainment, or hotels) has supplied or sold liquor in contravention of the prohibitions in Clause 4 of the Bill, the respective regulatory agency is empowered by Clauses 18 and 20 in the Bill to cancel or suspend the relevant licence, after due process," he said.

"This applies to the licences issued by Liquor Licensing Board, the National Environment Agency, Agri- Food & Veterinary Authority, and the Hotel Licensing Board. This supplements the respective Acts of these regulators and is intended to enable swift action to be taken against those who contravene the restrictions. There are avenues for appeal, including to the Minister in charge," he added.