KUCHING, Oct 2: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is taking action to eliminate illegal posters put up by ‘Ah Long’ or unlicensed moneylenders before Kuching becomes ‘a city of Ah Long’.
MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said illegal posters of Ah Long must be removed because of their illegitimacy and because they are an eyesore which affects the beauty of Kuching as a city.
As of August 2023, MBKS has removed 52 outdated banners, 5,266 expired fishtails, and 7,596 illegal posters put up in public places by Ah Long.
Apart from removing the illegal posters, Wee will also work with the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and police to block the contact numbers listed on the illegal posters.
“Since January 2023, we have targeted to take down 1,000 illegal posters, banners or fishtails monthly, which we did.
“It is an ongoing effort, and we call on all residents to work together with us to be effective in removing all illegal posters of Ah Long.
“Let us be determined. They put up one, we remove one,” said Wee when going on the ground to remove illegal posters in the Second Mile area this morning, which was live-streamed through his social media page.
He explained that he has been calling for public participation in tackling illegal Ah Long posters to achieve more effective outcomes and inculcate a sense of belonging among Kuchingites following participation.
“I am calling for willing public participation and not forcing it down their throats,” Wee said in response to accusations that MBKS is evading its responsibility by pushing it to the residents.
Apart from illegal posters of Ah Long, Wee also took action against private businesses and governmental departments for not removing outdated banners and fishtails by forfeiting their deposits as deterrents for future negligence. — DayakDaily
