CM committed to state’s progress: Lo

KUCHING: The people must continue to stand behind our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg as he is committed in making sure that development in our state is progressing well, said chairman of Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) Lo Khere Chiang who is also Batu Kitang assemblyman.

He added the oil and gas tax would contribute to the much needed fund to develop the state for the benefit of the people.

“I also believe that the chief minister is likely to increase the oil and gas tax in future and there is no harm for us to ask for more as it is our right as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“All we want is to be on par with Peninsular Malaysia in development such as having good highways, better roads and connectivity between the rural and urban areas to enable the people to improve their quality of life,” Lo said in his speech at the Smart Community Programme organised by MPP and Pusat Pembangunan Kemahiran Sarawak (PPKS) at Kampung Semeba Community Hall near here today.

Lo also stressed that in order for the people to uplift their living standard, education was the main key because it determined the people’s success as well as the nation’s.

Meanwhile, director of PPKS Hallman Sabri said the purpose of the event was to assist students and secondary school leavers to make informed decisions about academic pathways and career choices.

“Career choice is an important decision along life’s journey. Hence, we need to assist them with the relevant knowledge and skills to thrive in today’s challenging environment,” he said.

Hallman added that with the increasing importance of Industry 4.0 and the Digital Economy, today’s youths would need to equip themselves with a blend of technical and soft skills in order to thrive in today’s ever-vibrant global economy.

“With the support of the state government, the new PPKS Mukah Campus, which is scheduled to be completed in August this year, will be converted into a Smart Agriculture College in line with our Chief Minister’s vision to develop programmes in smart agriculture to increase our agriculture outputs, encourage our farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices and provide exciting career opportunities for our youths,” he said.

The event held today was participated by members of the teaching staff, course counsellors who offered face-to-face counselling services on the wide range of academic and skills programmes including financial assistance by PPKS.

Also present at the event were MPP secretary Elizabeth Loh, director of Konsortium Bumi Consultants Datuk Ir Janang Bunsu, a motivational speaker at the event and students of SMK Arang Road, SMK Batu Kawa and SMK Wira Penrissen.

RM8 million for Chinese schools

 

S’wak govt increases grants for Chinese schools, gives another RM3 mln for relocation of SJK Chung Hua Bako

Abang Johari (sixth right) with Dr Yii (right), Dr Sim (fourth right), Chai (fifth right), Chan (seventh right), Manyin (eighth right) and some of the donors of the SJK Chung Hua Bako relocation fund at the anniversary celebration cum fundraising dinner. — Photo by Chimon Upon.

KUCHING: The Sarawak government will allocate RM8 million to support Chinese vernacular schools in the State this year.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in announcing the grant last night said it was an increase of one million ringgit from last year’s RM7 million.

“This RM1-million increase is to acknowledge the importance of education to the Chinese community. The Chinese community will sacrifice themselves for good education for their children, as this is a topic close to their hearts.

“Therefore, I would like to announce this RM1-million increase from last year’s RM7 million, making it RM8 million in total allocation to vernacular Chinese schools in the State,” Abang Johari said in his speech at the Federation of Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary Schools of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions 35th Anniversary cum fundraising dinner for SJK Chung Hua
Bako.

He also approved RM3 million for the federation to help finance the relocation of SJK Chung Hua Bako to Taman Berlian in Kota Samarahan here.

“When the federation came to pay me a courtesy call on Feb 14, I told them that I would match them one-for-one. I was told that they managed to raise a little over RM3 million, thus I will be allocating a grant of RM3 million for the relocation of SJK Chung Hua Bako,” Abang Johari said.

He also said that he would look into the federation’s request of the alienation of the piece of land on which SJK Chung Hua No 3 islocated to the federation as it is rented from the Kuching South City Council (MBKS).

Earlier, the federation’s president Jonathan Chai Voon Tok also appealed Abang Johari to set up an administrative unit under the Chief Minister’s Department to look after the interest and financial needs of mission and Chinese schools in the state.

“The allocation of funds for these schools by the Federal Government annually can hardly meet their actual needs, thus it is imperative to form such a unit to provide a lending hand to these schools,” Chai stressed.

Meanwhile, organising chairman of the event Rodger Chan said that the fundraising for SJK Chung Hua Bako was about building the future of the children in Sarawak.

“Education excellence is the key to all the leadership in our country—education creates the manpower and brain power we need for the future we want.

“Children are the future of the country, and education is the future for kids, hence education is our future. I look foward to full education autonomy for Sarawak for a promise of a better Sarawak,” Chan said in his speech.

Among the guests at the dinner were Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, MBKS Mayor Datuk James Chan, Kuching Chung Hua Middle School No 1, 3 and 4 chairman Datuk Richard Wee and Chung Hua Primary Schools No 1 to 6 management board chairman Wong Tiong Hook.

BY  JOASH KONG ON MARCH 30, 2019, SATURDAY AT 12:05 AMSARAWAK

巴市会去年密集出动 捉 2465猫狗送兽医局

巴市会去年密集出动 捉 2465猫狗送兽医局

峇都吉当区州议员兼巴达旺市议会主席罗克强（中）在一众市议员的陪同下，召开新闻发布会。

左5为议会秘书伊丽莎白罗；右5为议会副主席拿督阿末。

（本报古晋28日讯）去年巴达旺市议会捉狗队在大规模行动中，捕抓2465只猫狗，并全数移至于该议会抓狗队每日的行动.

截至今年2月份, 该捉狗队共捉获202只流浪狗及清理18具死狗

峇都吉当区州议员兼巴达旺市议会主席罗克强今日在该议会常月集会后，召开新闻发布会时, 如是表示。

他说，最后一次捕捉流浪狗的行动是2018年12月5日在峇都吉当工业区和哥打圣淘沙，共捕抓了25只流浪狗并移交给砂兽医局。

他称，有关行动获得7个来自晋汉连省的地方议会（南市市政局北市市政局、巴达旺市议会、

三马拉汉市议会、西连县议会、石隆门县议会及伦乐县议会）参与由砂地方政府与房屋部属

下的公共卫生组主任张友量医生协调，同时，巴达旺警区和哥打圣淘沙警察局的警员参与护航 行动。

他表示，该行动是配合砂地方政府与房屋部的 指示展开。

另外，他指出，该市议会每日都有展开抓狗行 动，主要是根据民众通过电话、巴达旺市议会

热线（WhatsApp）、Talikhimat、砂地方政府与房屋部长、巴达旺市议会主席服务中心及其 它管道，要求当局派员上门捉狗。

他称，该议会捉狗队随时都会在街道和公众场所展开巡逻，并捕抓任 流浪狗不论是有注册或 没有注册的狗只，因此，公众受促不要将他们的狗只流放到住家外面。

罗克强也透露，从今年1月截至3月16日，人们被狗咬伤的累积案例为1415宗，至于从2017 年6月开始至3月16日总累积的案例为1万96宗。

他提醒，狗主人必须向该议会申请狗的执照、定期为它们注射狂犬病疫苗、时刻为狗佩戴执照 条带、不让它们外出及维护狗笼的清洁和卫生等。

他续说，关于狗只执照的收费，是每年更新制的，每一只收费为10令吉（结扎好）/30令吉（未结扎）。

http://news.seehua.com/?p=438236
2019年3月28日

Tun M: Like the National Car. Arm Industry Next !

Tun M: Like the National Car. Arm Industry Next ! Seriously? What about spending those funds on Sarawak Bridges that PH cancelled?

Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/03/28/dr-m-like-the-national-car-arms-industry-will-be-a-boon-for-malaysias-progr/1737469

Tun M: Like the National Car. Arm Industry Next !

Tun M: Like the National Car. Arm Industry Next ! Seriously? What about spending those funds on Sarawak Bridges that PH cancelled?

Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/03/28/dr-m-like-the-national-car-arms-industry-will-be-a-boon-for-malaysias-progr/1737469

Clash momentum increases

More verbal outbursts in Lo-Aziz quarrel

KUCHING: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang says Sarawak DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) publicity secretary Abdul Aziz Isa gives him goosebumps.

“As much as his copycat manner irks me, I believe Oscar Wilde did say that ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’,” Lo said.“He creates the same exact words, flow and structure in any statements he gives.

“Aziz in his Chinese press statement asked the municipal secretary to just sign the Occupation Permit (OP) and that’s it.

“It just goes to show how irresponsible Aziz is, with no respect for the law,” said Lo.

“How can anyone ask the municipal secretary to sign the OP when the Industrialised Building System (IBS) building (of SK Jalan Haji Baki) is not satisfactorily completed?”

Lo said this could only be done by the respective professionals, and no OP application had been received by MPP yet.

“Aziz is amazing person, as in the first place, he said the IBS building was newly completed in 2016, then he contradicts himself in the same press release by saying that “the school block was not completed as expected because the contractor did not do a proper job”.

“Now, who is supposed to settle this issue of non-compliance of the building works by the contractor?

“The Federal Ministry of Education, Malaysia, of course,” he said.

“In fact, I have had two meetings with the people of Haji Baki along with the contractor’s representative and the Ministry of Education at the latter’s office in Jalan Bako, Kuching since 2017.

“However, our hands are tied and even the Ministry of Education in Kuching cannot do much because the implementers of this project is the Federal Ministry of Education,” he added.

“The onus is on the Federal Ministry of Education via their appointed architects and engineers to apply for OP.

“When the submitting persons are satisfied that the building has been completed; all in accordance with approved plans and drawings and in accordance to sound engineering practice. Nobody else can apply for OP,” Lo said.

“The community in Haji Baki wants to know when the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government is going to start demolishing and rebuild SK Jalan Haji Baki and what about giving them the funding for their Haji Baki Hawker centre allocation of RM800,000 and the proposed Dewan for Haji Baki of RM1mil as well.”

“And has Aziz raised these issues with their bosses in federal and spoken up for the people of Haji Baki why the funding for these two projects worth a mere RM1.8 mln had been cut by the PH government?

“It’s only RM1.8 mln while RM250 mln worth of petroleum has been pumped from Sarawak’s soil and handed over to them each day.

“The people of Haji Baki deserve a prompt answer to their questions and Aziz would do well to ask his minister (Education Minister) Dr Maszlee (Malik) when the SK Jalan Haji Baki will be built,” said Lo.

“As I have said before, both Barisan Nasional (BN) and PH federal government have failed Sarawak. But Aziz, it was you and your DAP leaders who promised 20 per cent oil royalty for Sarawak and to give back autonomy on health and education to Sarawak

“And when are they going to fulfill their promises?” Lo added.

“If Aziz wishes to learn about the procedures of plan submission and application of OP thereafter, he is welcome to approach MPP anytime to find out.

“Why should he attack me and MPP in his statement?

“Is he using the same tactics as their federal bosses bullying Sarawak by cutting off funds and giving them to Kedah?

“PH says there are no funds but it can spend RM20 mln on a brand new airport in Kedah.

“PH says there are no funds and terminated the proposed construction of three major bridges in Sarawak.

“Does Aziz not see that West Malaysia is cancelling projects in Sarawak and using more and more funds for building and construction in West Malaysia?” Lo said.

BY: LYNCH COWAN - MARCH 27, 2019, Sarwak Tribune

罗克强：狂犬病爆发至今. 狗咬人10096宗

罗克强：狂犬病爆发至今. 狗咬人10096宗

巴达旺市议会主席罗克强呼吁民众，勿让家犬在街上游荡，以免遭捕狗队捕捉。

（古晋28日讯）今年截至3月16日，古晋省被狗咬投报共有1415宗，而2017年6月爆发狂犬病至今，古晋省多达1万零96宗被狗咬案件。

巴达旺市议会主席罗克强今日主持常月会议后，在新闻发布会表示，首两个月，巴达旺市议会总共捕捉202只狗及清理18只被撞死的狗，去年则捕获2465只狗与猫。

“巴达旺市议会捕狗队定期或接获民众投报后去捉狗，任何在街上或公共场合游荡的狗，无论是否有执照都会被捉，因此民众受促勿让家犬在街上游荡。”

他表示，大型捉狗行动由砂地方政府及房屋部指示下展开，上次行动是2018年12月5日，在峇都吉当轻工业区及哥打圣淘沙进行，当时共捉25只狗，并交予砂兽医服务局处理。

（新闻来源：砂拉越星洲日报）

文章来源 ： 星洲日报 2019-03-28

巴市会去年密集出动 捉 2465猫狗送兽医局

巴市会去年密集出动 捉

2465猫狗送兽医局

2019年3月28日

峇都吉当区州议员兼巴达旺市议会主席罗克强（中）在一众市议员的陪同下，召开新闻发布会。

左5为议会秘书伊丽莎白罗；右5为议会副主席拿督阿末。

（本报古晋28日讯）去年巴达旺市议会捉狗队在大规模行动中，捕抓2465只猫狗，并全数移

交给砂兽医局。

至于该议会抓狗队每日的行动，截至今年2月份，

该捉狗队共捉获202只流浪狗及清理18具死狗

（路上、路边、沟渠、草丛及人们的住家）。

峇都吉当区州议员兼巴达旺市议会主席罗克强今日在该议会常月集会后，召开新闻发布会时，

如是表示。

他说，最后一次捕捉流浪狗的行动是2018年12月5日在峇都吉当工业区和哥打圣淘沙，共捕抓

了25只流浪狗并移交给砂兽医局。

他称，有关行动获得7个来自晋汉连省的地方议会（南市市政局、北市市政局、巴达旺市议会、

三马拉汉市议会、西连县议会、石隆门县议会及伦乐县议会）参与，由砂地方政府与房屋部属

下的公共卫生组主任张友量医生协调，同时，巴达旺警区和哥打圣淘沙警察局的警员参与护航

行动。

他表示，该行动是配合砂地方政府与房屋部的

指示展开。

接投诉即派员捕狗

另外，他指出，该市议会每日都有展开抓狗行

动，主要是根据民众通过电话、巴达旺市议会

热线（WhatsApp）、Talikhimat、砂地方政府与房屋部长、巴达旺市议会主席服务中心及其

它管道，要求当局派员上门捉狗。

他称，该议会捉狗队随时都会在街道和公众场所展开巡逻，并捕抓任何流浪狗不论是有注册或

没有注册的狗只，因此，公众受促不要将他们的狗只流放到住家外面。

罗克强也透露，从今年1月截至3月16日，人们被狗咬伤的累积案例为1415宗，至于从2017

年6月开始至3月16日总累积的案例为1万96宗。

他提醒，狗主人必须向该议会申请狗的执照、定期为它们注射狂犬病疫苗、时刻为狗佩戴执照

条带、不让它们外出及维护狗笼的清洁和卫生等。

他续说，关于狗只执照的收费，是每年更新制的，每一只收费为10令吉（结扎好）/30令吉

（未结扎）。

留言评论：

MPP Council stamps foot down on illegal extensions

KUCHING: Padawan Municipal (MPP) councillor Wilfred Yap said he must do all the right things for Kota Sentosa even if it means stepping on toes.

Yap, who went to town last week, wanted all iron grill extensions at the backs and sides of shophouses to be dismantled.

Yap, who allowed New Sarawak Tribune to tag along this afternoon to see the development of his request, said he had given the shopkeepers two weeks to dismantle the iron grills.

Acting on public complaints, Yap who is also Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Kota Sentosa chairman, went with the MPP enforcement unit last week to check on the complaints. Today, he returned to check if what was requested by the people was attended to.

A couple of iron grill had sprouted out and Yap said the problem needed to be nipped in the bud or very soon the 500 over shop houses will be filled with illegal extensions, he said.

The illegal extension is fire hazard and will invite pests as things were stored inside, he added.

Manhole where the iron cover was stolen.

Yap today also pointed to a gaping manhole which he said the MPP will replace them with other materials and not iron to prevent them from being stolen.

And at the end of the town, Yap checked an illegal structure which was constructed on state land.
At last month’s MPP monthly council meeting, it was decided to have all illegal structures taken down.

Today, the barricade built around a piece of government land was removed and the illegal structure taken down.

BY: CONNIE CHIENG - MARCH 27, 2019, Sarawak Tribune

Much improvement along Mile 10, 15 Kuching Serian road – Lo

Much improvement along Mile 10, 15 Kuching Serian road – Lo 

Lo (sixth right) alongside MPP and JPJ representatives in a group photo.

KUCHING: The five-mile stretch between Mile 10 and Mile 15 Kuching-Serian Road has seen drastic improvement, thanks to the state Public Works Department (JKR), said Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang.

Lo together with Padawan District traffic enforcement chief ASP Kenny Charles Juta and Hiromi Lee from JKR conducted a short visit to the Mile 15 roundabout yesterday.

During a press conference right after the site visit, he stated that during his last visit to the roundabout in January this year, 400 accident cases were reported within a short span of two months, 200 of which happened at the roundabout.

“The purpose of this site visit is to find out how much the road has improved since then,” he added.

Kenny, meanwhile, stated that since January this year there were only five reported accident cases.

Lo commented that he had seen drastic changes and reduced accident cases with the improvements done.

“I would also like to thank the state JKR regional office for their prompt action as well as their initiatives to get the job done.”

Lee explained the methods taken in reducing the number of accident cases at the roundabout.

“We added an additional 120 transverse bars at both sides of the road leading to the roundabout and installed chevron delineators with blinking lights to alert drivers especially during night time.”

Lee added that the roundabout curve was painted with white and black colour to alert road users approaching the roundabout.

Lo also suggested to Lee to install another signboard alongside the existing ones to alert road users on the presence of the roundabout.

“It is a good idea to place another signboard as some road users may not be aware of the roundabout despite the improvements set up,” Lo added.

JKR had also proposed similar measures which are currently under planning and awaiting approval.

Lo, who is also Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman, stressed that the stretch is a great concern to him as it is under MPP’s jurisdiction.

POSTED ON MARCH 26, 2019, TUESDAY AT 12:02 AMBorneo Post NEWS, SARAWAK

IPD Padawan rai Sambutan Peringatan Hari Polis ke-212

IPD Padawan rai Sambutan Peringatan Hari Polis ke-212

PADAWAN, Mac 25: Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Padawan turut tidak ketinggalan meraikan Sambutan Peringatan Hari Polis ke- 212 di sini hari ini.

Program yang bermula dari pukul 7.30 pagi hingga 12 tengah hari itu berlangsung di Padang Kawad IPD Padawan.

Sambutan Peringatan Hari Polis ke-212 peringkat IPD Padawan itu telah diketuai oleh Ketua Polis Daerah (KPD) Padawan, Supt Aidil Bolhassan.

Turut serta ialah Timbalan KPD Padawan, DSP Merbin Lisa , 27 Pegawai Kanan Polis dan 264 Pegawai Rendah Polis/Pegawai Awam warga IPD padawan.

ADUN Batu Kitang merangkap Pengerusi Majlis Perbandaran Padawan Lo Khere Chiang serta Pengerusi Persatuan Polis Komuniti, Datuk John Lau turut hadir bersama 150 orang yang terdiri daripada ketua jabatan, ketua masyarakat, pesara polis, KRT, SRS, kadet polis, pihak media dan 16 orang PERKEP IPD Padawan. — DayakDaily

Dayakdaily March 25, 2019 Oleh Dean Adam

Rep disappointed with cancellation of financial allocation

KUCHING: Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang expressed his disappointment with the cancellation of financial allocation for the development of Kpg Haji Baki.

“According to the plan, the previous government under Barisan Nasional (BN) has allocated RM1 million for the construction of a community hall and RM800,000 for hawker stalls in Kpg Haji Baki. However, the allocation of RM1.8 million has been cancelled after the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government took over,” he said when officiating at “Program Mesra Bersama Rakyat” at Kampung Haji Baki here, yesterday.

Lo (standing centre, third row) posing with the villagers during “Program Mesra Bersama Rakyat” at Kampung Haji Baki, Kuching. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

He added, “Sarawak produces oil worth RM250 million on a daily basis. In four days, we can get RM1 billion but the reality is that the profit goes to the federal government, so why is there a need to cancel the allocation of RM1.8 million?”

Lo also said that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders did not walk the talk because under the PH coalition before the general election, Democratic Action Party (DAP) leaders like Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister Chong Chieng Jen and Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong had actively fought for Sabah and Sarawak’s rights and claimed that there was no Malaysia without Sabah and Sarawak.

“In their infamous 100-day manifesto for the 14th General Elections (GE14), PH promised Sabah and Sarawak 20 per cent oil royalty and 50 per cent of tax revenue. It also promised to return full autonomy in education and healthcare,” he said.

Touching on the state’s healthcare, Lo said, “Fifty-five years after the formation of Malaysia, there is only one general hospital in Kuching. It never has enough beds for patients and they have to sleep uncomfortably during the hot spell.

“If autonomy is given to us, we can have better healthcare services. Apart from building more general hospitals like Malaya, we can also take the opportunity to develop the whole nation thoroughly.

“Despite the fact that the federal government did not give Sarawak a fair share, Sarawak is still fortunate because the people can still depend on the state government,” Lo said.

He also revealed that the state government had allocated RM2.7 billion for rural transformation projects.

“We already have street lights from Kpg Haji Baki to as far as Kpg Bunga Rampai, thanks to the state government,” he said.

Lo also mentioned that a discussion with Chief Minister Abang Johari Tun Openg on the building of a community hall and hawker stalls in Kpg Haji Baki had taken place.

“The planning for financial allocation is being prepared so that we can proceed with the projects. We cannot wait for the federal government,” he said.

Kpg Haji Baki has received a lot of financial allocations for its development. To date, the village was a part of Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) where RM1.5 million has been allocated to repair drains and roads.

In addition, there were also allocations of not less than RM100,000 for minor rural projects in the village and repair works on five football fields with each field costing around RM130,000. Some RM1 million was also allocated to help the needy villagers and to repair their houses.

“So far, we have repaired 34 houses in Batu Kitang constituency but that is not the end. The work of identifying poor houses is still ongoing and we will ensure no more houses need to be repaired in the next two or three years.

“This is all thanks to our chief minister who is a community-oriented person,” Lo said.

He also mentioned that Sarawakians should stay united and stand behind the leadership of Abang Johari to fight for Sarawak’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

The two-day event was organised by Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Women and Youth Wings; it started on Saturday and ended at 4pm yesterday.

The first day involved a karaoke competition (children and adult categories).

On the second day, a cooking competition, registration of new voters by the Election Commission (SPR) and free health screening by the Health Ministry were held.

Some 80 new voters of Kpg Haji Baki were registered at the event.

Lo also visited one of the houses in the village which had been repaired with an allocation of RM15,000 under the 2018 Minor Rural Project programme.

BY: NUR ASYIKIN LOUIS - MARCH 25, 2019, Sarawak Tribune

MPP to compound offenders after six-month education period

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.”

Batu Kitang State Assemblyman Cr Ir Lo Khere Chiang speaking to the reporters during attending Program Mesra Bersama Rakyat organised by SUPP Kampung Haji Baki Women and Youth. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

“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.

, BY: NUR SHAZREENA ALI  MARCH 25, 2019, Sarawak Tribune