We can see some normal chinese and indian restaurants stocking up alcohol drinks in premises. This are bought by the clients who frequent this shops. The clients can be from all walks of life – locals or foreigners. Local council officers usually go around checking, but everything can be “settled”. Even the foreign workers in restaurants also know this.

Cheap alcohol is a form of escapism for the long income group. Even in Puchong area, we can find foreign workers having a drink at night time. But the impact of consuming alcohol can be quite devastating as one loses the ability to think properly and may commit crime easily. So, should cheaper alcohol like samsu be banned? CAP thinks it should be:

The federal government has been urged to rethink its taxation policy on samsu and to ban the substance as its consumption is a major cause of social ills.

Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) president SM Mohamed Idris said “it is sinful to collect taxes from people’s misery”.

He likened samsu addiction to drug abuse, saying it has caused the breakdown of families as well as led to criminal activities and social ills among youth.

Research by CAP has revealed that samsu addiction has affected even students, who have abandoned their studies and have been involved in petty theft and gangsterism. Adults often get into debt, are unproductive at work and are known to be violent at home.

CAP has led calls for a ban on samsu and other intoxicating substance for years, but the government has not responded to what is often deemed “an Indian problem”.

Researcher NV Subbarow, however, pointed out that samsu addiction is a national problem that is prevalent across all ethnic groups in the lower rungs of society.

Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) Penang information chief S Vadi Velan concurred, saying he has also seen foreign workers from Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia and Myanmar drinking samsu.

It is readily available at sundry shops and eateries in Butterworth and George Town, and is often sold to students although this is prohibited.

Vadi Velan said the Pakatan Rakyat governments in Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor should take the lead by banning samsu in these states.

Categorised as an intoxicating liquor, samsu is the cheapest liquor in Malaysia ranging in price from RM1.50 to RM3. There are about 150 brands of samsu in the market, with the alcohol content ranging from 40 to 70 percent.

The 1976 Excise Act deals with all types of licences for wholesale and retail sale of intoxicating liquor, beer and toddy.

Licences are issued or revoked by the government based on recommendations by the state excise and liquor licensing board, which includes representatives of the Customs and Excise Department.

According to Customs officials, licences are only issued to liquor retail outlets, drug stores and Chinese medicine halls.

However, CAP surveys have revealed that 80 percent of samsu retailers are sundry shop and coffee shops, as well as individuals who use their premises to profit from illegal sales.

Over the years, samsu consumption has extended to urban areas, as illegal outlets mushroomed in new townships, said Subbarow.

A random check would reveal that George Town has at least 50 such outlets, one of which is located near a police station.

Tose caught selling samsu illegally usually escape with a fine based on quantum of liquor seized by authorities.

Hindu Action Network chief coordinator G Mugunthan said the authorities should step up enforcement and punish illegal retailers with stiffer penalties, including whipping and a jail sentence.

“This is a killer drink. We can’t afford an 18th century problem in the 21st century,’ he said.