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Debate comes after stricter laws proposed on alcohol sale

Xinhua, January 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

Stricter laws proposed on the consumption of alcohol in public places in Singapore were a topic of debate on Tuesday after a bill was introduced in the parliament earlier.

Under the proposed laws proposed on Monday, members of the public will not be able to buy alcohol for take-away or consume alcohol in public places from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.

But people will continue to be allowed to drink at home during the restricted hours, at approved events and in licensed establishments such as bars and coffee shops in accordance with the hours stipulated in their permits or licenses.

Some questioned whether the annoyance caused by a minority of trouble drinkers warranted the imposition of sweeping curbs or not. While acknowledging that the proposed ban on boozing in public spaces at night would reduce the incidences of alcohol-induced disamenities, members of the public felt that new problems could surface.

Some also questioned whether it would be hard to enforce the new laws.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said that the start time of the ban is aligned with the closing time of most businesses in residential areas, and that it is the time by which most community events end.

Under the proposed law, the districts of Little India and Geylang, which are considered places where there is significant risk of public disorder associated with excessive drinking, will be designated Liquor Control Zones and come under stricter restrictions on alcohol consumption and retail hours of take-away alcohol, based on the police's operational assessment.

Geylang is a district in Singapore known for its night life. Little India is a neighborhood known for its Indian culture and is a place popular to the Indian community and others.

Authorities in Singapore have put in place stricter rules on liquor consumption in Little India after a rare riot triggered by the death of an Indian worker under the influence of alcohol in a traffic accident left some vehicles damaged and officers injured. Most of the participants in the riot were South Asian workers. Endi