Bintulu Member of Parliament, described the recent operation undertaken by police and enforcement units from Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) against pubs and karaoke lounges which were found operating without licences as commendable.

'I have spoken to those operators many times already that they have to comply with the laws and regulations enforced by the local authorities,' he said

He said a few days ago one of the karaoke operators sought his assistance to get back the equipment seized by the police from his premises for operating without licence.

Tiong said he had told the operator that he could not help in this case as he was not above the law.

He also urged licensed operators to close their business according to the time stipulated in the trading licence issued by the local authority.

"Many people, especially the lorry drivers, who rented their rooms atop or nearby the karaoke lounges, have complained their sleep are being disturbed because those lounges operated until four or five o'clock in the morning," he said.

Tiong made the remark after the dialogue session held between local community leaders, representatives from government departments and private sector and Deputy Home Affairs Minister Dato Zainal Abdin bin Zin at Parkcity Beverly Hotel yesterday.

During the dialogue ession, Bintulu Resident Encik Ubaidillah bin Haji Abdul Wahab said the local people should eradicate the bad culture of writing poison letters against certain officers or departments.
He said his office had set up Social Consultative Committee to handle any complaints or grouses against any civil servants or departments concerned.

He said the complainant must come up with evidence on the misdeed of any civil servants or department.