Sabah to discuss smoking ban next week

By Olivia Miwil - January 2, 2019 @ 5:15pm

If we say we are going to ban smoking (at food premises), what will happen to tourists coming and want to smoke? Should we ban them too?” said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew. NSTP/KHAIRULL AZRY BIDIN.

KOTA KINABALU: A Cabinet meeting next week will likely discuss the nationwide smoking ban at all eateries, says Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew today.

“The smoking ban order, which is a drastic move, is a policy that will need to go through the Cabinet meeting.

“If we say we are going to ban smoking (at food premises), what will happen to tourists coming and want to smoke? Should we ban them too?” said Liew after handing over donations to Tahfiz learning centre and Masjid Usia here.

Liew, who is also state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, added that it is not necessary for Sabah to follow what has been implemented in Peninsula Malaysia, but assured that the state would look into the matter.

On Jan 1, Sabah has put on hold nationwide smoking ban at all eateries pending a decision by the state Cabinet.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Jaujan Sambakong, who is also state Local Government and Housing Minister, had said that there is a need to look into hefty fines and jail terms would impact many smokers across the state who might end up in jail if they could not settle the fines.

Meanwhile, Liew said that other agenda in next cabinet meeting will be the temporarily closure of Immigration Department’s announcement on temporarily halt of Electronic Travel Registration and Information (eNTRI) online facility effectively on Jan 1.

“Chinese New Year is coming, there will be a lot of tourists from China visiting Sabah.

“I will bring this to the cabinet and attention of Sabah Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal) for best solutions,” she added.

Meanwhile, on recent issue of a group that anti-Christmas and New Year’s celebrations in Tawau recently, Liew said it was unacceptable and supported that legal action to be taken against them.