KUCHING: The Sarawak government says Putrajaya’s smoking ban at restaurants nationwide does not apply to the state unless it adopts the new policy which takes effect next month.
The state’s local government and housing minister Sim Kui Hian said Sarawak has autonomy on the matter under its Local Government Ordinance.
“Until we adopt (the smoking ban), it is not applicable (in Sarawak),” he was quoted as saying by Borneo Times today.
Putrajaya has announced that smoking, including vaping, would be banned at all eateries, hawker stalls and open-air shops from Jan 1.
Among the restrictions is that smokers can only smoke at least 10ft from any eatery.
Offenders face a fine of RM10,000, while eateries that fail to enforce the ban will be fined RM2,500.