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New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Bukit Aman: Don't turn justice into vigilantism
KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has warned against the prevalence of mob justice following the death of two suspects - a snatch thief and a flasher - who were attacked by members of the public in two separate incidents recently. Federal Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said they understand the public's frustration when witnessing crimes, but strongly advised against taking matters into their your own hands. "We don't want justice to turn into vigilantism," Azmi told the New Straits Times. "Malaysians must allow law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties. "Let the police investigate and take appropriate action through legal means. He said the public should immediately contact the police in such situations and avoid actions that could lead to unintended consequences or criminal liability. In two recent incidents, police arrested 15 people who were suspected of assaulting the suspects which led to their deaths. On July 27, a 51-year-old man was beaten to death by members of the public after he had allegedly committed sexual harassment by exposing his private parts at the parking area of a supermarket in Jasin, Melaka. Members of the public, who noticed the suspect's behaviour, gave chase and caught up with him. He was then assaulted. The suspect, who was married, was found dead in front of a kindergarten. Following the incident, police arrested seven people, including a Pakistani national to assist in investigations. On July 22, a suspected snatch thief was allegedly beaten to death in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. The snatch incident, involving a 36-year-old kindergarten teacher occurred in a residential area in Batu 9, Cheras. Her screams alerted several member of the public who caught and assaulted the thief. Paramedics confirmed that the suspect, believed to be a foreigner, had died, believed to be as a result of the beatings. Police arrested eight men, aged between 22 and 72, who were believed to be involved in the assault of the suspected thief. Meanwhile, Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) executive council member Datuk Muhammad Fuad Talib said no one was above the law. The former Subang Jaya police chief said laws have been enacted through public representatives and should be respected. "Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. "It should be remembered that the court of law will sentence these offenders once they are convicted," he said adding that the public should not punish suspects. He said such actions were nothing more than seeking vengeance. "No one should inflict harm or use excessive force when apprehending and effecting a public arrest. "Minimum usage of force could be used if the suspect resisted not to cause injuries or death," he said adding that if the suspect surrendered and did not resist, no harm or force could be inflicted on him.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
MVCC: Keep vape affordable to help smokers switch
GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) backs the government's health initiatives but has called for caution on proposed taxes on vape products. "We support the government's goal of encouraging healthier choices. "However, any tax on vape products must recognise that vape is significantly less harmful than cigarettes. "It is crucial that vape remains more affordable than tobacco to incentivise smokers to switch," MVCC secretary-general Ridhwan Rosli told the New Straits Times. Ridhwan said pricing vape products too closely to cigarettes risked discouraging smokers from making that transition which would ultimately undermine public health goals. "pro-health" taxes on tobacco, vape and alcohol products under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to curb the rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). He said the government must be firm in addressing health risks. He also said that pro-health taxes would be expanded beyond sugar to include products such as tobacco, vape and alcohol, not merely for revenue, but to drive behavioural change and combat NCDs.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Vape industry urges consultation over proposed 'pro-health' taxes
GEORGE TOWN: The vape industry has expressed surprise at Putrajaya's move to expand "pro-health" taxes to include tobacco, vape, and alcohol products, announced as a measure to curb the rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Malaysia Retail Electronic Cigarette Association (Mreca) president Datuk Adzwan Ab Manas said that currently, both vape devices and e-liquid products are already subject to excise duty. He said that e-liquids with nicotine have been taxed at 40 sen per ml since May 1, 2023, while devices are subject to a 10 per cent ad valorem excise duty since Jan 1, 2021. Adzwan said the industry would seek clarification from the authorities on what today's announcement means. "Does this mean there will be new taxes on vape products?" he told the New Straits Times when asked to comment on the matter. Adzwan urged the government to hold consultation and discussion sessions with industry players before any policy decisions are made. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), said Putrajaya would expand "pro-health" taxes beyond sugar to include products such as tobacco, vape, and alcohol. He said that these taxes are not merely for revenue generation but to drive behavioural change and curb the worrying rise in NCDs, adding that the government must be firm in addressing health risks.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Experts urge holistic reform as Malaysia moves to expand 'pro-health' taxes
GEORGE TOWN: The government's plan to expand "pro-health" taxes to include tobacco, vape and alcohol products has been met with cautious support from a health expert and consumer group with calls growing for broader structural reforms to truly combat the rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). While the move is seen as a step in the right direction, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Professor Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh warned that taxation alone was not a silver bullet. "The intent is good and we applaud efforts to reduce NCDs through behavioural change. "But tax measures must be complemented by real investment in our primary healthcare system. We simply do not have enough healthcare personnel, especially in critical specialties like oncology, mental health and cardiovascular care," she told the New Straits Times. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) today, said the government would expand "pro-health" taxes, including those on tobacco, vape and alcohol products, in a bid to curb the rise in NCDs. He said pro-health taxes would be expanded beyond sugar to include products such as tobacco, vape and alcohol, not merely for revenue, but to drive behavioural change and curb the worrying rise in NCDs. Sharifa Ezat urged the government to consider targeted taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, in line with existing tobacco and alcohol levies, calling them a "major contributor to poor health outcomes." She noted that without adequate enforcement and support structures, increased taxation might have unintended consequences — especially in the case of tobacco. "Most smokers don't buy from legal outlets. Black market cigarettes, which evade taxes entirely, continue to dominate our shores. "If we raise taxes without tackling illicit trade, we may not achieve the desired health outcomes," she added. Meanwhile, the Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP), strongly welcomed the prime minister's initiative, calling it a bold and much-needed step. "We must call this the 'cancer tax'," said N.V. Subbarow, senior education officer at CAP. He said the prime minister's announcement sent a strong signal that Malaysia was serious about protecting its youth and reducing cancer-causing habits. "These taxes will discourage smoking, vaping and alcohol consumption, especially among the younger generation," he said. Subbarow praised the government's political will in tabling the taxes as part of the 13MP, noting that Malaysia has been battling a persistent rise in NCDs such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer — many of which are linked to lifestyle and consumption habits. Sharifa Ezat emphasised the need for incentives to bring together private GPs, NGOs and the public health sector to create a seamless primary care system. "We commend initiatives like 13MP, which aim to strengthen primary care — but these efforts will only work if they are backed by manpower and integration. "We need more nurses, doctors, and specialists to meet the growing demands of the population," she said. She also urged the government to increase the national healthcare budget to reflect the urgency of the crisis. "Devoting a larger share of Malaysia's GDP to health is no longer optional — it is a necessity if we are serious about long-term change," she stressed.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Foreign hawkers still rampant at KL markets despite ban
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign workers are still rampant at Pudu Market and Kompleks Pasar Raja Bot, also known as Chow Kit Market, despite repeated warnings from Kuala Lumpur City Hall. A check by the New Straits Times found that nearly half of the stalls at both markets were manned by foreigners, mainly from Bangladesh, Indonesia and Myanmar. A butcher in Chow Kit, who has been trading since 1975, said foreign hawkers managed to operate by renting licences from locals. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said: "When the authorities come, the foreign hawkers run off and the licence holder takes over the stall to avoid getting caught or fined." It is learnt that some foreigners also sell live chickens and slaughter them on demand, which is a banned practice in the market. The butcher also said locals were often more demanding than foreigners, which contributed to the latter's growing presence. "I once hired a local worker, but he demanded extra pay and accommodation. Before leaving, he stole some money and my motorcycle," he claimed. "Foreigners won't do that, they work purely to earn," he added. At Pudu Market, many foreigners, particularly Bangladeshis, were still seen operating stalls as late as 1pm. A woman, who has worked there since 1995, said the number of foreign traders surged after the Covid-19 pandemic. "In the early 2000s, there were only two or three of them. After the pandemic, they started coming in large numbers," she said, preferring anonymity. She said their presence had affected local hawkers' business, as they drew customers by allegedly selling vegetables at cheaper prices. "They cheat during weighing. After it's done, they remove about 200g of the original amount, and that's not a small quantity," she claimed. Yesterday, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said the long-standing ban on foreign hawkers and market traders in the city remained firmly enforced.
