22-07-2025
Delayed liquor licence approvals affect businesses in Sabah
David Chan
KOTA KINABALU (July 22): The National Consumer Foundation Malaysia (YPNM) expresses serious concern over the prolonged delays in issuing liquor licences to traders and entertainment outlet operators in Kota Kinabalu and other parts of Sabah.
These unnecessary bureaucratic holdups have disrupted business operations, strained financial resources, and risked the livelihoods of many small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners.
'We have received feedback from affected business owners who are unable to commence operations despite having met all application requirements. Many are facing continuous rental obligations and operational costs while waiting for licensing approvals that, in some cases, have taken several months. This situation not only jeopardizes the sustainability of their businesses but also undermines investor confidence and local economic recovery efforts post-pandemic,' said YPNM Sabah chairman David Chan.
He urges the relevant licensing authorities to take establish a clear and transparent approval timeline for all liquor licence applications, implement an online tracking system to allow applicants to monitor the status of their submissions in real time, provide interim licences or temporary approvals for businesses whose applications have been delayed without valid explanation and allocate additional manpower or streamline internal procedures to address backlogs and improve processing efficiency. 'While we understand the need for responsible regulation of alcohol sales, licensing processes must not become tools of delay or administrative negligence. Regulatory efficiency is key to protecting consumer interests and promoting fair business practices,' added Chan in a statement on Tuesday.
YPNM stands in solidarity with affected traders and calls on the State Government and relevant departments to uphold good governance by resolving this matter urgently and transparently.
