Datu Dr Penguang Manggil
SIBU: Local councils in Sarawak can enforce the Local Authorities Ordinance and By-Laws to act tough on premises found selling contraband alcoholic drinks and cigarettes, Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil said.
He said this yesterday when asked if local councils in the state could mete out stern actions similar to those taken by Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) to revoke the business licence of premises found selling contraband alcoholic drinks and cigarettes.
Penguang said: “The Local Authorities Ordinance and councils’ By-Laws are there for them to enforce.
“Furthermore, such terms and conditions can also be re-enforced by incorporating them into the licence conditions.”
Nonetheless, the Marudi assemblyman believes that it is also the duty and responsibility of every responsible citizen to ensure that the market is free of contraband goods by not buying them.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) has called on the government to introduce mandatory jail sentence against those who sell smuggled or adulterated alcohol.