KUCHING: Illegal moneylender advertisements have become an increasing eyesore across the city, with posters and stickers plastered on road signs, streetlights, and even nailed onto public trees.
Beyond spoiling the city’s image, these materials openly promote predatory lending practices that exploit vulnerable communities, said Special Assistant to Stampin MP, Michael Kong.
Kong expressed concern over the lack of action from local councils, particularly Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan (MBKS) and Majlis Perbandaran Padawan (MPP).
“Despite their visibility, councils have failed to act. By allowing these advertisements to remain, they risk sending the wrong message that such illegal activities are tolerated,” he said.
According to Kong, both MBKS and MPP have the authority and responsibility to remove unauthorised advertisements and to protect public property. However, he said their response has often been reactive rather than proactive.
“Councils tend to remain silent until issues are highlighted publicly, only then rushing to appear ‘responsive’. A recent example is their eagerness to meet police over illegal gambling outlets after the matter was exposed in Parliament,” he noted.
Kong urged the councils to conduct regular inspections, remove the illegal advertisements, and enforce stronger measures to prevent recurrence.
“Councils must show that they are serious about upholding the law and protecting the public from predatory and illegal practices,” he stressed.
By Connie Chieng