Crimes and Incidence of Public Disturbances related to Alcohol Abuse

Dr Chia Shi-Lu asked the Minister for Home Affairs with regard to alcohol abuse (a) what are the number of related crimes and incidences of public disturbances in the last three years; and (b) whether the Government will consider restricting the sale of alcohol to Government-run stores like in the Nordic countries.

With the enactment of the Liquor Control Act in 2015, we have taken significant steps to control the supply and consumption of liquor in public places to mitigate public disorder and disamenities caused by public drunkenness. We have restricted the sale of alcohol at retail outlets and consumption of liquor in public places to 7.00 am to 10.30 pm daily. Stricter hours are imposed in the designated liquor control zones in Little India and Geylang.

The result is positive. There is an island-wide decline of public order incidents related to liquor consumption, from 251 cases in 2014 to 135 cases in 2016. This includes offences like rioting, affray and serious hurt.

We, therefore, see no need to set up Government-run liquor retail stores and to only allow such stores to sell liquor. This is best left to the private sector, with the Government putting in place laws to regulate such sales.

The Police will continue to monitor the situation and conduct regular compliance checks on licensed liquor retail outlets.