I don’t want to lose you, too!
By Stephen Ng
I lost my father when he had just turned 66 years old.
A couple of years later, I also lost another close relative when he, too, died of lung cancer, while my children lost their nanny’s husband and their wonderful godfather due to this deadly disease that knows no mercy.
Fans of the once-popular Radio Four would also remember the late Kenny Lim, who used to phone in the talkshows, he too died of lung cancer in his early fifties.
Fans of the once-popular Radio Four would also remember the late Kenny Lim, who used to phone in the talkshows, he too died of lung cancer in his early fifties.
You can understand why I am saddened each time I hear someone is suffering from lung cancer. It is a matter of what stage he is in. There is hardly any cure for any of this cancer patient.
This is why I appeal to the public to understand what the Ministry of Health is trying to achieve when they banned smoking in restaurants. This is an important milestone in Malaysia. It has taken 61 years to implement this new and very bold ruling.
It used to be that smokers could even smoke in the coaches. On my way to Penang back in the 80s, I remember sitting just beside a chain smoker. While I was trying to catch up with some sleep, he was puffing the whole night.
We have come a long way. I urge the Opposition not to politicise every single move made by the new government.
I also urge the Sarawak State Government to be sensible and implement without reservation the ‘No Smoking’ ban, instead of fighting it. Sarawak Housing and Local Government state exco, Dr Sim Kui Hian is also a doctor; he should know the deadly malady.
After May 09, there appears to be too much opposition to everything good and bad done by Pakatan Harapan – reject the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), reject the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), and now, reject even the ‘No Smoking’ ban on restaurants.
There are indeed some good initiatives that the Opposition should support such as the ‘No Smoking’ ban. Majority of the non-smokers support it; therefore, it would do more harm to the Opposition’s narrative if they fought it.
And being one of those who gave the thumbs-up to both Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Lee Boon Chye for their stake-it-all initiative, I certainly do not want to lose any of my loved ones to cancer of the lungs.
And, you, too!
STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008. After May 9, 2018, he is now involved in contributing ideas towards rebuilding of the nation.
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