No such thing as alcohol ban in Langkawi, say stakeholders

Stakeholders in Langkawi have dismissed a rumour that claims tourists are not allowed to consume alcohol or wear shorts on the island.
Langkawi Chinese Chamber of Commerce chairman, Lee Han Eng, has clarified that these claims are false and reassured tourists that they are free to enjoy their vacations without any unusual restrictions.
“I think the information is wrong, no such thing happens on the island, tourists have been free to do whatever they do as long as it does not violate the rules of the country,” he said.

Lee denied the alleged ruling on the island and emphasized that tourists in Langkawi are free to consume alcohol or wear shorts as long as they are not Muslims. He called on the public not to believe the rumors as they could harm Langkawi’s efforts to revive its economy.

Langkawi Business Association deputy director Datuk Alexander Isaac also stated that the rumors are false and incorrect. He mentioned that they have not experienced any such restrictions in Langkawi and criticized the spread of fake information as unnecessary fear-mongering.

A news portal reported that some tourists had complained to the government about being unable to consume alcoholic drinks on the island. Furthermore, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King raised this issue during a recent Parliament debate. Tiong urged the Kedah state government to provide clarification on the situation.