Struggling Little India shopowners suggest later start to alcohol ban

SINGAPORE — Feeling the pinch from the measures limiting the sale and consumption of alcohol introduced after the Little India riot last December, the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA) has suggested a later start to the alcohol ban, and that an area be cordoned off for foreign workers to consume alcohol.

The association met Law Minister K Shanmugam yesterday to air their grievances and to seek help. Forty-five merchants were present at the meeting, which was held at Banana Leaf Apolo restaurant.

“For the last 30 to 40 years, Little India has been a vibrant place till about 11.30pm, midnight, but now after 9pm, Little India is a dead place, which means all the business is gone for the merchants here,” said LISHA chairman Rajakumar Chandra.

He estimated that 95 per cent of the businesses in Little India depend on business from foreign workers and 80 per cent of their business takes place between 8pm and 11.30pm.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Mr Shanmugam said he will be asking the Ministry of Home Affairs to look into the suggestions.

“We understand their concerns, but it’s a question of balancing; residents also face disamenities and we must consider that as well,” he said.

Business owners TODAY interviewed had mixed views on the suggestions. Liquor shop owner Kailasam Sadhasivam felt they would provide some relief, but his business was unlikely to make a full recovery until the ban is lifted. His shop, New Arasi Trading, used to make between S$3,000 and S$8,000 on weekends. Last weekend, he made only S$725. “I have (had) a problem paying my rent the last few months,” said Mr Kailasam, whose rent is S$3,100 a month.

He suggested that a police post be set up near the proposed drinking spot for foreign workers and that the spot be monitored by CCTV cameras.

On the other hand, restaurant manager Jagwinder Singh felt the suggestions, if implemented, would go against what the Government was trying to achieve. Starting the ban an hour later would not make much of a difference, while cordoning off an area could lead to disorderly behaviour without sufficient enforcement.

“I think the shopowners, when making the proposals, did not have public peace and disorder in mind,” said Mr Singh.

Mr David Yeo, who owns Yeo Buan Heng Liquor Shop and recently had his liquor licence revoked for selling liquor during the alcohol ban, made an appeal to the Liquor License Board yesterday to have his licence reinstated. “Right now my earnings are zero and I can only sell antiques, provisions and soft drinks; it’s very hard,” said Mr Yeo who used to make about S$10,000 a weekend.