Singapore to crack whip on alcohol consumption in public

Singapore is set to implement stricter rules pertaining to consumption of alcohol in public which will make it illegal to drink liquor between 22:30 and 07:00.

The Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Bill to be introduced in parliament later in the day proposes to come down hard on consumers of alcohol, which will include fines up to $1,000.

According to the proposal, repeat offenders may even be sentenced to three months in prison or have to pay a $2,000 fine. Proprietors who sell alcohol beyond the stipulated hours will be fined up to $10,000.

Pubs and bars will be allowed to sell alcohol during the restricted hours but buyers cannot consume the liquor outside the premises.

The ministry of home affairs said the rule will be applicable to all public places to avoid confusion.

In addition to that, Little India and Geylang, identified as Liquor Control Zones, will be under stricter regulations and alcohol consumption is prohibited during all hours during weekends and public holidays. Though the ban timings for these two special zones are still unclear, retail sales are to be stopped between 20:00 and 06:00.

Though the proposal for new liquor control measures was initiated in 2012, the riot in December 2013 in Little India hastened the measures.