The alcohol ban ruling will be in effect at Little India during the weekend of Thaipusam from 6pm on Jan. 16 to 6am on Jan. 20.
Also, as the number of people is expected to be large, the Public Order (Preservation) Act (POPA) proclamation — covering the same areas as the ones in December 2013 — will be enforced.
According to the procedures of the festival, alcohol consumption and smoking have always been forbidden along the procession route and the same measures in place this year is expected to better enhance its sanctity and order.
The Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) and the Little India Shopkeepers & Heritage Association (LISHA) have also expressed their support and are willing to cooperate with the authorities in any way to support these measures.
During the ban, shops holding retail and wholesale licences can continue to sell alcohol but only from 6am to 8pm daily during the stipulated period.
On the other hand, shops with public and beer house licences can sell the various permitted types of alcohol by their respective, licences but consumption must remain within their areas.
Any alcohol consumed within the proclaimed area will be seized and the police will do enforcement checks on outlets to make sure they comply with the restrictions.
Thaipusam will begin from 11pm on Jan. 16 to 11.59pm on Jan. 17 and the route starts from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road through Sri Thendayuhapani at Tank Road.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
Photo: Thaipusam in Singapore; William Cho
