Kota Kinabalu: Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Fairuz Renddan, has issued a stern warning that the ministry will not tolerate the presence of illegal cigarette sellers in areas under Local Authorities (PBT), particularly those displaying “gangster-like” behaviour.
“We will crack down on them, we will drive them out, and we will not allow such thugs to set foot and sell their clearly illegal cigarettes in all PBT areas, not only in Sandakan, but throughout the state,” he said.
“The unfortunate incident that occurred in Sandakan is unacceptable. From now on, my ministry and I will take stricter action to ensure these thugs have no space to peddle their illegal cigarettes,” Fairuz added in a media statement on Saturday.
A video that went viral on TikTok, shared by Sandakan Viral Kini, reportedly showed an enforcement officer being injured after allegedly being assaulted by a group of men exhibiting gangster-like behaviour.
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