KUCHING: Do not release Kong Ming Deng lanterns (sky lanterns). You can be penalised because it is illegal to do so.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng gave this warning during his visit to Kenyalang Park Market here yesterday.
The purpose of the visit was to talk to the traders and listen to their suggestions on how to improve the market.
He said 33 sky lanterns were spotted in the sky last Friday (Sept 13) around midnight.
Wee told reporters that a drone was used to capture almost all the lanterns.
He said fewer sky lanterns were released that night because of strict enforcement by MBKS.
Many of the lanterns were released by residents of housing estates here.
“We left Friendship Park around 11pm and we suspected a few members of the public released more of the lanterns after that,” said Wee.
He explained the sky lanterns were dangerous to planes during take-off or landing.
He warned that those caught releasing sky lanterns could be fined and jailed based on the Aviation Law in the Penal Code.
After Kenyalang Park Market, Wee yesterday visited the Stutong Market.
“We promised to include the councillors’ contact details on the MBKS information posters and the zones they are taking care of in all the markets,” he explained.
“I will continue to have these meet-and-greet session with the public in the markets as well as hawker centres. I will also be visiting the commercial areas in Padungan.”
Wee added that he would note the attendance of the councillors in charge of their respective zones during his meet-and-greet sessions.
