MBSA officers confisticating the beer cans and bottles in a 7Eleven outlet in Section 8, Shah Alam on Wednesday evening.

State executive councillor for local government, research and development Ronnie Liu described the action as serious defiance of the state government and said action will be taken against those who act without any directive from the state.

"No local council is bigger than the state government. Nobody should do anything before the guidelines (to regulate the beer sales) are out," he told theSun today.

MBSA had seized some 70 cans and bottles of beer from a 7-11 outlet at Section 8 in Shah Alam at 4.35pm on Wednesday, despite there being no directive from the state government to do so.

A task force set up by the state was expected to come up with guidelines to regulate the sale of beer by the end of August.

Liu, who sent officers to investigate the matter after being contacted, said the MBSA officers claimed there were "unaware of the status quo" and admitted there had been a "big misunderstanding".

"The officers have returned the cans and bottles of beer which were seized on Wednesday upon learning the sale is allowed," he said.

7-Eleven executive director Ng Su Onn when contacted said he was upset with the city council’s actions.

"The state government said there will a task force to come up with guidelines, incorporating views of all parties, for retailing beer in Selangor," he said.

"Ronnie Liu had made it clear that retailers are allowed to do what they are doing and no action can be taken by the councils,"

"The fact that MBSA acted on its own leaves us retailers confused," he said.

Ronnie Liu

MBSA had sent a letter to retail outlets on May 13 stating that the sale of all alcoholic drinks including beer will not be allowed at Muslim-majority areas in Sections 1 to 25 in Shah Alam.

The ban of sale of beer also covered outlets in Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh (Section U20) and TTDI Jaya (Section U2).

The state government, however, froze the ban on May 27 until the task force comes up with its findings.

In response to the council's move, Guinness Anchor Berhad managing director Charles Ireland said: "We believe alcohol producers, retailers and consumers should respect cultural and religious sensitivities in Malaysia. At the same time, we think their rights to go about their own business should also be respected.

"With that in mind, we look forward to the state government’s response to discussions that we have had. We hope it will be fair and reasonable to those with interests in this matter, including Muslims, and individuals whose religion allows them to consume alcohol."

He said actions that infringe on the lawful right of businesses to trade, exacerbate an (currently) already difficult business environment.