The sale of alcoholic beverages is banned at all premises during the current "total lockdown" period as it is not an essential item, said Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Rosol Wahid.

However, Rosol made an exception for cigarettes.

“Although they are non-essential under (the SOPs from the) NSC, they are still ‘essential’ to cigarette addicts.

“We can’t stop its sale, otherwise there will be problems. Only smokers will understand. Without cigarettes, it will be a huge burden for them,” he was quoted as saying.