Kota Kinabalu: Assistant Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Fairuz Renddan (
pic) said the Ministry will not tolerate illegal cigarette sellers operating in areas under local authorities across the State.
He said stronger enforcement would be carried out to curb the activity following an incident in Sandakan involving alleged gangster behaviour linked to the sale of illegal cigarettes.
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Fairuz was commenting on a viral
TikTok video showing a local enforcement officer reportedly injured after being assaulted by a group of men.
The incident was believed to have occurred at about 2.30pm the previous day at the Mile 8 market area in Sandakan after the officer reprimanded a trader suspected of selling cigarettes illegally.
Fairuz said that while offences involving illegal and smuggled cigarettes fall under the jurisdiction of the Customs Department, the Ministry will intensify efforts to ensure public safety and prevent such activities in local authority areas throughout Sabah.
