KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — Penang state executive councillor Dr Afif Bahardin said today he would push for a curfew on alcohol consumption in the state, after a fatal drunk driving incident.
The state executive councillor in charge of agriculture and agro-based industry, health and rural development noted that 618 deaths from 1,035 road traffic accidents in Malaysia were attributed to drunk driving from 2010 to 2015.
“The government must introduce a new policy that limits the time for alcohol consumption so we could reduce road accidents caused by intoxication,” Dr Afif said.
“The government can adopt a similar approach taken by the city of Nelson, New Zealand, that imposes a curfew on alcohol starting from 9pm to 7am in specific locations.”
Fines can be imposed on those who consume alcohol or are drunk in public spaces during the curfew, Dr Afif said.
The Nelson City Council bans alcohol completely in certain public areas like parks, as well as a prohibition on alcohol consumption between 9pm and 7am everyday in certain other areas.
Dr Afif called for collaboration between federal and state authorities on his proposal.
“As a state executive councillor, it’s my responsibility to ensure that this state is safe and secure for all Penangites. I will ensure that all initiatives and policies are truly effective and bring about prosperity and security for residents, including efforts to introduce this system in Penang,” said the PKR lawmaker.
Penang City Council public health assistant Mohaidin Gani Mohamad died early last Friday morning after a car, believed to be driven by a drunk woman, hit his motorbike near the Jalan Dato Keramat traffic light junction.
