KUCHING: Although Sarawak has implemented the smoking ban at all eateries in the state starting March 1 this year, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) is not taking any action against premises which do not observe the ban yet.
MPP chairman and Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang told reporters after gracing the “Program Mesra Bersama Rakyat” (Friendly with people programme) at Kampung Haji Baki here yesterday, “We are not taking any action in the current six- month education period. We will just encourage members of public to follow the smoking ban law.”
“After the six-month education period, we will compound disobedient individuals but I hope we won’t have to. If everyone can follow the law, we don’t have to impose summonses here and there.”
Lo observed that although there was no strict enforcement of the smoking ban at the moment, everybody had been supporting the new law by walking away from the premises to smoke.
“The smokers are getting used to this law and this is a good sign. Sometimes I even joke with them by asking if they have a measuring tape,” he said.
The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman was of the opinion that Sarawakians in general were polite ̶ like the people in Japan and Korea.
“The smokers here have been very polite even before the enforcement of the smoking ban.
“At eateries, if the smokers want to smoke, they will naturally move away from the dining tables.
“Of course, when the enforcement took place, we received complaints from a small number of smokers but I believe that the majority of them accept the law because it means respecting the non-smokers and they don’t have any problem with that,” Lo said.
He added: “In the past, we could see people smoking and throwing cigarette butts everywhere. But I think it is safe to say that I have seen none of that anymore.”
Lo felt that theft was a more serious issue which needed to be brought to light.
“In Japan and Korea, theft is very closely associated with shame. Therefore, the citizens will think twice before stealing from other people.
“If Sarawakians can nurture the same culture, we would live in a better and comfortable environment,” he said.
