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Medan starts to fine people caught lighting up in smoke-free zones
These smokers underwent speedy trials, commonly held for minor offenses, near the Grand Mosque of Medan, presided over by judges from the Medan District Court.
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No smoking and proper attire signs are positioned at the mosque’s verandah. (JP/Boy T Harjanto)
T
he Medan administration in North Sumatra has started fining smokers caught lighting up in smoke-free zones this week.
These smokers underwent speedy trials, commonly held for minor offenses, near the Grand Mosque of Medan, presided over by judges from the Medan District Court.
Ronaldo Fernando Pasaribu, 53, was among people caught during an operation initiated by the Medan Public Order Agency. The angkot (public minivan) driver said he was surprised when a number of officers had stopped him in front of a hotel on Jl. Sisingamangaraja.
"They stopped my angkot and told me I was violating the law because I was smoking inside public transportation. I was surprised because all this time they’ve never checked the angkot," Fernando said on Thursday.
Fernando claimed he was unaware of the smoke-free zone regulation. He also suggested that the Medan administration introduce the regulation to the public before implementing it.
"To be honest I’m disappointed with the way the Medan administration implemented this regulation," he said.
The agency’s head of law enforcement, Rahmad Doni, said the agency fined 18 smokers during the first day of the operation.
