KUCHING: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) councillor Alvin Chong has pushed back against claims by Michael Kong, the special assistant to Stampin MP that the council has failed to act against illegal advertisements and loan shark banners.
Chong voiced out strongly that MPP has always been proactive in removing such materials, even though illegal moneylending activities are not under its direct jurisdiction.
“We carry out regular operations to remove these illegal advertisements in both commercial and residential areas. On top of that, we also work closely with Padawan police through Ops Vulture, which specifically targets illegal moneylender ads,” he said.
He added that five joint operations have already been carried out with the police this year, while MPP’s Enforcement Division continues to remove such materials whenever they are found.
Chong expressed disappointment with what he described as an attempt by DAP to score political points out of the issue.
“Michael Kong has never done his homework. His accusations are baseless and clearly aimed at tarnishing the reputation of GPS and MPP,” he said.
As Deputy Chairman of MPP’s Market, Licensing and Enforcement Committee, Chong also questioned the role of the opposition MP in addressing the matter.
“If this issue is beyond the council’s legal authority, then what concrete actions has the MP himself taken besides issuing statements?” he asked.
Chong assured residents that MPP would continue its enforcement efforts to keep Padawan clean, safe, and liveable.
However, the council has yet to outline how it plans to address the problem in the long term.
By Connie Chieng