SINGAPORE - According to police, there is a disproportionate number of law and order incidents in Little India and Geylang that are associated with liquor consumption, Second Minister for Home Affairs S Iswaran told Parliament on Friday.
About one in five of rioting cases in Singapore occur in Geylang and Little India, he said. Close to 10 per cent of serious hurt cases were in Geylang and Little India. Also, nearly half of serious incidents in Geylang and Little India are linked to liquor consumption - twice the national average. "The regular and large congregations of people, both local and foreign, in these areas exacerbate the risk," he said.
That is why these areas will have stricter public drinking and alcohol sale curbs if the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Bill is passed. Deemed Liquor Control Zones, these area will have similar restrictions applied in Little India following the riot in December 2013.
Drinking is currently banned in public places in Little India from 6am on Saturday to 6am on Monday, and from 6am on the eve of public holidays to 6am on the day after the holiday. The retail sale of alcohol is banned from 8pm till 6am on weekends, and on the eve of public holidays and public holidays.
