Padawan Municipal Council's (Majlis Perbandaran Padawan)

Yap (centre), Tan on his left and others flash their approval for the Kota Sentosa Ramadan bazaar. – Photo by Matthew Umpang KUCHING (March 5): Traders at the Kota Sentosa Town Square Ramadan Bazaar must adhere to food safety guidelines by selling their food within four hours to ensure hygiene and freshness, said Wilfred Yap. Speaking to reporters at the bazaar yesterday, the Kota Sentosa assemblyman highlighted the recommendations by the Health Department that food should not be displayed for more than four hours. He also encouraged members of the public to visit the bazaar starting from 3pm onwards. “The Ramadan bazaar runs from March 2 until March 30, covering the entire fasting month. The Health Department has advised that food should only be displayed for four hours. Anything beyond that is not considered healthy. “So, traders are encouraged not to start selling too early, and visitors should come around 3 or 4pm instead of 2pm,” he said. He also commended the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) for their role in maintaining food hygiene and safety, noting that the council had conducted food preparation courses and safety briefings for traders. “Before approving hawkers, we ensure they have attended the food handling course and received the necessary typhoid vaccination. “The Health Department will also conduct random checks to ensure compliance,” he said. Yap revealed that the Kota Sentosa Ramadan bazaar is one of the first few bazaars launched by MPP this year, with a total of six venues across the council’s jurisdiction. He also emphasised the event’s significance as an attraction for both locals and tourists. “This bazaar is an annual event, and I’m glad that MPP chose this location as one of the first to be launched. Ramadan bazaars bring people together, and here in Kota Sentosa, visitors can enjoy a variety of food.” He also highlighted the role of Ramadan bazaars in fostering unity among Sarawakians, in that they gather people from all races. “The Premier of Sarawak always emphasises unity, and small initiatives like this contribute to that vision. “Through events like the Ramadan bazaar, we can strengthen our sense of community and work towards the goals of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030—a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable Sarawak,” he said. This year’s Kota Sentosa Ramadan bazaar features 66 stalls offering a wide range of delicacies. Yap also acknowledged CCK for their corporate social responsibility efforts, as the company has been sponsoring aprons and caps for the traders since the first edition of the bazaar. With Yap during his walkabout at the bazaar yesterday was MPP chairman Tan Kai.      

(From fourth left) Ahmad, Tan, Yap and others prepare to toss the ‘yee sang’ during the event. KUCHING (Feb 21): The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) will discuss the proposal by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) to implement a community service order of up to 12 hours for minor littering offences. MPP chairman Tan Kai said the matter needed to be discussed first as the proposal was from the federal government through the KPKT. “We will discuss the matter first and announce the decision. If the state government, especially the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, agrees to the proposal, we will look into it. “If the policy is good and can really help reduce the habit of littering, we can discuss whether we follow it or not, and if it is implemented in Peninsular Malaysia, we will see the results first,” he said. Tan was met by reporters at the council’s Chinese New Year open house at the MPP Building yesterday. The ceremony featured Senator Dato Ahmad Ibrahim as the guest of honour, and was also attended by Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, councillors, community leaders and MPP staff. On Wednesday, KPKT in a statement said it plans to implement a community service order of up to 12 hours for minor garbage dumping offences through several amendments to relevant Acts. It said the amendments involved the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007, and the Roads, Drains and Buildings Act 1974. “Through the amendments, if a person fails to comply with the community service order, on conviction the person can be fined RM2,000 to RM10,000. “The current legal provisions under the relevant Acts permits a fine of RM500 to RM2,000 or imprisonment for up to one year,” the statement read. KPKT said the proposed community service order was aimed at raising awareness and educating the public on the importance of cleanliness, discouraging the irresponsible disposal of small waste in public areas.