KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng has issued a stern warning to the public against smoking in non-smoking zones and possessing contraband cigarettes.
Those caught will face summonses and fines of at least RM250 by Ministry of Health (MOH) enforcement officers.
The mayor led a group of MBKS and MOH enforcement officers yesterday during a Facebook live session walkabout in the Kenyalang Park area to address complaints of smokers puffing away at eateries and hawker centres.
“I think we have given enough warnings, yesterday, this is only one of our regular patrols while every week, the MOH will go around.
“So, everyone, please cooperate as we don’t wish to penalise you; you also don’t want to be penalised.
“Please be considerate,” he said.
Further emphasising the importance of cooperation and consideration for others, he reminded the public that smoking was prohibited in non-smoking areas.
“If you need to smoke, leave the non-smoking areas,” he added.
Wee, in response to netizens’ suggestion to conduct undercover patrols instead of intimidating smokers with uniformed enforcement officers, stated that the MOH and MBKS did not have the authority to carry out undercover operations.
The enforcement officers, he added, are not authorised to issue summonses without wearing their uniforms, and the focus was on creating awareness rather than penalising smokers.
