Dr Sim (fourth left) tossing the yee sang dish together with Abang Johari (fifth left) and other guests.
KUCHING: Sarawak will review the Local Government Ordinance on the smoking ban in the state, including aiming to amend it to ensure state and federal laws over it are uniform.
There should not be two conflicting laws on the same matter, said Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, adding that the model currently adopted by Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) will be considered.
Dr Sim said he had spoken to the Health Ministry about the matter.
He said this during Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang’s visit to his Chinese New Year Open House here today.
Dr Sim pointed out that enforcement on the smoking ban would take time for it to be fully implemented.
The ban on smoking at eateries will take effect on March 1, 2019 in Sarawak but a six month educational period will be allowed for operators and smokers to digest the situation and that no compounds will be issued during that period.
“We have to consider the situation of smokers as they too need space for smoking and education on the anti-smoking campaign,” said Dr Sim, who is also Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president.
Also present during the Chief Minister’s visit were Minister of Tourism, Arts Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Coastal Road Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi and wife Datin Saadiah Buji.