SHAH ALAM – Malaysians can now submit anonymous reports on those smoking in prohibited eateries and public places on mobile application RepotLah.
This follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Repotlah and Selangor Bebas Asap Rokok (Selbar) which allows for anonymous reports to health enforcement officials.
“From this collaboration with Selbar, we have a new no-smoking module in the app that allows users to report anonymously on smokers in prohibited areas such as restaurants and other prohibited public places,” said RepotLah co-founder and CEO Keasavan Hari Krishnan after the ceremony here today.
“The app also allows users to report on non-emergency issues such as potholes or poorly maintained roads and illegal waste disposal, and even upload their dashcam videos on reckless or drunk drivers.
Its COO Mohamed Feirdhauz Khairudin said the collaboration with Selbar allows for better enforcement action to be taken by the relevant authorities.
“Previously, we already had these modules on our app, but where did these reports go? Reports for issues such as potholes go to the relevant authorities. The Health Ministry, however, has a WhatsApp group for the issue of smoking, but it may not be the most effective tool.
“So, collaborating with Selbar is a good move because it works closely with the Health Ministry and local authorities to conduct enforcement. Our reports will then be transferred over to Selbar, hence the MoU.”
Selbar is a health initiative under Ikram Health Malaysia, implemented on May 1, 2017, to raise awareness of the danger of smoking and to keep public places free of cigarette smoke.
Also present was Ikram Health president and Selbar campaign director Dr Mohd Afiq Mohd Nor, who said the app is a much more accurate reporting tool that provides the location, name of the premises, and other related information, all in one form.
“This will allow for better and swift enforcement action to be taken, instead of having volunteers and health officials go back and forth to get the necessary information.
“All of this will help our objective to provide better advocacy on making the state free of cigarette smoke and awareness on the dangers of smoking.”
RepotLah has been available on the Google Play store since January and currently has more than 500 downloads with an average of 300 active users. – The Vibes, June 22, 2022
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