Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairperson Daniel Ngieng has confirmed that the state government issued a directive to stop the issuance of new licences for cybercafes in Sarawak.

He said the government received a lot of complaints about 'undesirable activities' taking place in these outlets.

"I must say there are good operators (as well), the public can go and look for (themselves)," he added when contacted.

However, Ngieng said the new directive applied to new applicants only and existing operators need not worry as long as they adhered to the guidelines.

Malaysiakini

reported previously that a circular was sent out to all councils, including the Commission of Kuching City North, the Kuching Municipal Council, SMC and the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) last month to freeze the licences.

The circular, signed by Public Health and Environment Ministry Permanent Secretary Nicholas Patrick, also instructed the councils to keep the matter under wraps.

A matter of control

On the claims that video game arcades are mushrooming in the state, Ngieng said as far as he was aware there were only two in Sibu.

A local council official, who declined to be identified, said the councils and police were closely monitoring such outlets.

Last year, the state government froze licences for snooker centres after numerous complaints from parents about students spending too much time in such places.

However, the government relented after a dialogue with an association representing snooker operators. It said new licences would be issued provided that operators observed certain guidelines, including banning all forms of gambling in their premises.

"Why is it that when snooker is such a honourable game, snooker centres are targetted?

"This is because it is sometimes seen as a gathering place for undesirable activities. It is only a matter of control, a matter of enforcing rules and regulations by all those concerned," said Ngieng.