Stern action awaits those illegally sticking ads banners on public signboards

SIBU: Those continuing to stick advertisement banners on public signboards here without permission from the local authorities would face penalties imposed under Local Authorities (Advertisement) By-Law 2012.

According to Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairwoman Rogayah Jamain, the council ordered the removal of 461 advertisement banners last year – all of which had been put up illegally.

“For the first half of 2017, SMC removed 133 of such banners, the majority of which were promoting unlicensed moneylending services,” she told thesundaypost.

Asked on advertisements pasted on road signs, Rogayah said there were only a few cases reported.

“What SMC officers would do is to tear down these banners or posters from the signboards. Having these things on public signboards and road signs causes confusion to road users and can even endanger them.”

She said SMC officers would also conduct further investigation based on the details obtained from the illegal banners.

“Strict action such as issuance of compounds and lodging of report to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will be taken against the the advertisers and also those putting up the banners – if they are identified as the offenders,” Rogayah pointed out.

Apart from the compound, she said SMC would also lodge a report to MCMC, which could disconnect the phone lines of the advertised company.