Coffee shop owners stage demo on soon-to-be-implemented smoking ban
SIBU: Federation of Coffee Merchants and Restaurants Association Sarawak (FCMRAS) yesterday staged a peaceful protest at Sibu Gateway on the smoking ban in coffee shops due to take effect next year.
The peaceful protest involved some 50 members led by FCMRAS president Hii Hung Yii and his deputy Tong Ing Kok.
In a press conference following the demonstration, Hii said the many new policies introduced by the new federal government following the general election have made it tough for coffee shop owners, especially in the current economic climate.
“Operating and running a company under the implementation of the various policies is a great burden and giving difficulties to the coffee shop owners.
“The federal government has implemented the various policies at the wrong time and has failed to see, understand or survey the difficulties faced by the people,” he said.
According to him, among the new policies are Non- smoking & Alcohol Regulation, tea and coffee unique price/unified tea price guide, Anti-Abnormal Profit Regulation, chef/foreign workers fee, Hygiene Control/ Food Hygiene Regulation, garbage charge/waste disposal fee and music rights fee.
Hii said although the change in federal government was ‘good’, the new administration should not ignore the ‘power and unity’ of the people.
“Although we are a small group of people, it will sound like thunder when all gather together.”