Adenan warns errant operators of karaoke lounges of possible closure

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Paddlers competing in the Pesta Lawas Regatta show their brute strength to outwit each other in a sporting manner.

LAWAS: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem warned that errant operators of karaoke lounges operating beyond the stipulated hours will face the wrath of the state government.

Saying he had declared war on illegal logging and smuggling activities and cyber-gambling in the state, Adenan warned that action would be taken against karaokes which flouted the law and were involved in vice activities.

“I want to clear up karaoke (lounges) that operate beyond the stipulated hours, sometimes up to 3 to 4am, which is anything but about singing,” he said here yesterday at the simultaneous launching of Pesta Lawas, Pan Borneo Coop Fest and One District, One Industry Festival here yesterday.

Adenan said the war against cyber gambling had already taken off in the state, with Kuching sweeping clean such outlets during the state-wide operation as instructed by him.

“There are many in Limbang and Lawas and I will only be happy if they do not operate anymore,” he said in a veiled warning that action taken so far fell below his expectations.

The chief minister warned that he would not tolerate gambling in the state, and gamblers could gamble in or other places.

Adenan first made his stand against cyber gambling at the Hari Raya function in Limbang, warning that he was aware of the problem in Limbang and Lawas districts and wanted the police to close them down immediately.

Before he left, he called for on Limbang Police and Immigration Department to buck up saying he wanted results.

The chief minister said the war against theft of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) of oil palm was ongoing and he had instructed that no oil mill should accept fruits which were stolen.

“If there are no buyers, there would be no theft as thieves certainly will not eat the fruits,” he said.

He has also roped in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to assist in his fight against illegal activities in the state.

“I will ask the MACC to go after government officers if they are involved in hanky-panky business as we want to clean up Sarawak to become a model state in Malaysia,”he said.

Earlier on, Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the three-in-one events in Lawas was a good platform to promote entrepreneurship, economic activities and social inter and intra interaction.

He said the participation of cooperatives from Brunei, Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia, Labuan and Sarawak would create both economic spin-offs and networking among participants as showcased by the signing of five MoUs at the festival.

He said the celebration also featured exhibitions for government agencies and the private sector to market their goods and services in their respective fields, including educational  and vocational training institutions and others.

Adenan later presented grants to the best cooperative and best school cooperatives in Sabah and Sarawak, and grants to the most promising cooperatives to expand their business.

Adenan’s wife Datin Patinggi Dato Jamilah Anu, Minister of Industry and Primary Resource of Brunei Pehin Orang Kaya Dato Paduka  Dato Seri Setia Awang Yahya n Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Bakar, assistant ministers from Sabah and Sarawak, elected representatives and local dignitaries were among those present at the function.

They later witnessed a cultural performance on a floating statge and a neck-to-neck battle for The Chief Minister Challenge Trophy which was won by Putera team of Kuala Lawas.