Man fined for obstructing health officers after being caught smoking at eatery in Saratok

By Dorcas Ting

SARATOK, Nov 20: A man was fined RM1,000 or sentenced to one month in jail if he fails to pay, after pleading guilty to obstructing health officers during an enforcement operation at a food premises in Saratok.

The sentence was handed down by Magistrate Intan Nurul Farena Zainal Abidin at the Saratok Magistrate’s Court.

The case was prosecuted under Section 4(4) of the Food Act 1983.

The incident occurred in early April during a routine inspection conducted by the Saratok District Health Office’s environmental health enforcement team.

The accused was found smoking in a non-smoking zone, a violation under Regulation 11(1)(d) of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004.

When approached by Environmental Health Officer Hasrol Hamdan, the man discarded his cigarette butt and refused to provide his identification details as requested.

A body camera was used to record the interaction, and a police report was subsequently filed at the Saratok District Police Headquarters.

Following the incident, the District Health Office issued a notice under Section 32B of the Food Act 1983, summoning the accused to appear in court.

The investigation, led by Assistant Environmental Health Officer Mohd Rahimi Ramli, culminated in the case being brought to court after approval to prosecute was granted by the Deputy Public Prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by officers Tazudin Murni and Andy Yet Yew Huat from the Sarawak Health Department’s Inspectorate and Legal Section.

Prosecutors emphasised the case’s importance as the first of its kind handled by the Sarawak Health Department under Section 4(4) of the Food Act.

They urged the court to impose a deterrent penalty, highlighting the need for public compliance with laws and respect for civil servants performing their duties. — DayakDaily

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