UNDER a proposed plan by the Penang state government, Penang will restrict smoking to certain gazetted areas. “We want to encourage the people to discipline themselves,” said State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh. “Rather than using laws alone to solve the problem,” the proposal, it is hoped, will create a healthier state. The proposal has been submitted to the Federal Health Ministry. Read here.

As part of the state government's smoke-free proposal, smoking kiosks will be set up as designated smoking areas. The kiosks can accommodate about 20 people and will be equipped with ashtrays and chairs. Phee cautions, however, that a study will be conducted first, after which the plan will be carried out in stages. Read here.

Other news

• Penang Port calls for quick release of funds for capital dredging: Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) has urged the government to speed up the release of funds announced under the 10th Malaysia Plan for capital dredging to deepen the port's Selat Utara waters. Read here.
• Clean-up on Butterworth beaches: Used condoms, underwear and sarong were among the 2,362kg of rubbish collected during the state's first massive beach clean-up in Seberang Prai at two popular beaches here. Read here.
• Formula sought to determine toll rates for both Penang bridges: The federal government is looking for a suitable mechanism to determine the toll rates for the first and second Penang Bridge to ensure they will not burden the people. Read here.
• "Extra" service by handphone sellers worrying: More than 90% of mobile phone sellers in Penang are believed to be offering the "extra" service of downloading pornographic video clips, many of which are filmed locally, into the phones of customers for a fee. Read here.
• 27 civil servants investigated for alleged corruption in Penang: Twenty-seven civil servants were among 57 individuals detained to facilitate investigations into alleged corruption in the state in the first eight months of this year. Read here.

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