SIBU: Coffeeshop owners here have joined those in the peninsula in calling for a reverse on the smoking ban on all open-air eateries from Jan 1.

Federation of Sarawak Coffee Shop and Restaurant Association vice-president Hii Hung Yii said their members feared the ban would badly affect business.

Since Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said it was okay for leaders to backtrack from their initial promises as even angels make mistakes, “we want the federal government to stop the move”, Hii said.

“The Prime Minister had said it was okay to make a U-turn as nobody is perfect, we hope he will reverse this decision,” he said during a press conference yesterday.

Dr Mahathir was responding to several reports, one of which is the suspension of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation loan instalment scheme that was supposed to take effect on Jan 1.

Hii said the people had elected Pakatan Harapan in GE14 hoping the country would get better and not worse.

“But it is making it difficult for us with this ban on smoking. We are already facing a hard time and with new policies, it will be worse for us,” he said.

Hii said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who initiated the move, should visit coffee shops and try to understand their point of view.

Hii said the RM2,500 fine for not complying with the new law was a double blow to the operators.

He said the RM10,000 fine for those caught smoking at prohibited areas was also too high and most would not be able to pay it.