Malaysia to raise legal drinking age to 21

The Malaysian government has signalled its intention to raise the country’s legal drinking age from 18 to 21 as part of a strategy to curb underage drinking.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Authorities confirmed its plans in a filing to the World Trade Organization on Tuesday, as reported by Malaysian Insider, but did not say when the change would take place.

The decision to raise the legal drinking age to 21 is part of a strategy to prevent underage drinking by limiting accessibility to alcohol. Additional labelling laws for alcohol to warn about the risks of excessive consumption are also planned.

While the country is predominantly Muslim, alcohol is widely available in Malaysia, with Carlsberg one of the country’s major players. Its Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad was founded in December 1969 and produces brands including Carlsberg Green Label, Carlsberg Gold, Asahi Super Dry and Danish Royal Stout.

Strengthening its presence in Malaysia, last year Heineken took ownership of GAPL Pte Limited (GAPL), which is listed on the Malaysian Stock Exchange, acquiring Diageo’s 49.99% stake.

Malaysia saw alcohol consumption continue to grow in total volume terms in 2014, according to Euromonitor’s 2015 report into the country’s alcohol industry, but at a slower rate than in previous years due to the “weak economic conditions”, which included a large depreciation in the MYR currency.

The report noted that younger Malaysisans were increasingly going out to drink and socialise, with growth more prominently seen in the on- as oppose to off-trade outlets.

Last year, Malaysia exported spirits worth US$269 million (RM1.14 billion), mainly to Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand, and beer worth US$156 million, mainly to Singapore and Thailand, reported the Malaysian Insider.