Latest news with #StateExecutiveCouncil
The Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Delay in nationwide ban on vape slammed
GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has renewed its call for an immediate nationwide ban on the sale and use of vape and e-cigarettes, as the issue is already 'out of control'. CAP said some state governments are still in talks with industry players and these engagements delay action, jeopardise public health and could have devastating consequences for Malaysian youths. 'How long will it take to consider banning vape? States that have not yet issued a ban for these products must be responsible if there are death cases, or pay for treatment due to vape use,' CAP senior education officer and anti-smoking activist N.V. Subbarow said in a statement. He described as alarming Perak's decision to consider consultations with vape industry stakeholders before deciding on a ban. On June 4, the Perak government said it would meet electronic cigarette or vape industry players before making any decision on the proposed ban on the sale of such products in the state. However on June 22, Perak announced it would target a vape sales ban in October, pending final approval by the State Executive Council. Subsequently on July 5, Perak Health and Human Resources Committee chairman A. Sivanesan made a U-turn on the matter and confirmed that the state would consult e-cigarette and vape industry players before deciding on a ban. A comprehensive study, led by state health director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha is expected to be concluded by next month. 'If there are 50 workers, that's 50 families at stake,' Sivanesan was quoted by Bernama as saying, while highlighting the need to consider economic and employment impact. Subbarow said he did not understand why a few state governments were still discussing the ban on vape and e-cigarettes with vape industry representatives. 'It doesn't make any sense. It's a waste of time and playing with the lives of children.' Subbarow said increasing use of vape among teenagers, including young girls, is a national crisis and warned that many are unknowingly being introduced to drug-laced vape liquids. 'Vape and e-cigarettes are destroying the future of the young generation. It has been proven. 'The trend has evolved from fruit-flavoured nicotine liquids to dangerous concoctions laced with stimulants or even narcotics, marketed under names such as 'zombie' or 'magic mushroom' flavours. 'This is a new culture throughout the world. More vape liquids now contain dangerous drugs. 'These products should be banned to prevent more people from becoming addicted to these synthetic drugs. 'These drug-laced vape flavours are turning many young Malaysians into new drug addicts,' he said. The association also pointed to recent figures from the Health Ministry showing a sharp rise in adolescent vaping, from 211,084 in 2017 to 301,109 in 2022, involving those aged 13 to 15. 'If the ministry or state governments continue giving unreasonable reasons and delay action to ban vape and e-cigarettes, the number of students and individuals addicted to nicotine-laced vape drug liquid will triple by 2030,' he said. 'Each of the state governments knew this, but they are pretending not to know anything. There is no need for new committees or studies on the issue, as the statistics are there. 'The state governments must take decisive action,' Subbarow said. CAP praised the Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who recently voiced full support for a total ban on vaping in Malaysia. His Majesty described vaping as a threat to public health and called for stricter enforcement to address both nicotine and drug addiction among youths. 'Vaping should be banned completely. We must not be lenient, it will only cause further harm to our people,' His Majesty was quoted as saying. He also pointed out that there is no point in having various laws and harsh punishments for drug offences if enforcement remains weak, allowing drugs to be easily obtained in the country. CAP said it would be writing official letters to all state rulers, urging them to instruct their respective governments to impose an immediate ban on vape and e-cigarettes.
The Sun
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Chief of Defence Force heads Kedah Sultan's birthday honours list
ALOR SETAR: Chief of the Defence Force General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaafar headed the list of recipients of state honours in conjunction with the 83rd birthday of the Sultan of Kedah, Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah Aman, today. Mohd Nizam was conferred the Darjah Datuk Seri Setia Pahlawan Yang Amat Dihormati (SSPK), which carries the title 'Datuk Seri Pahlawan', at an investiture ceremony held at Istana Anak Bukit here. The Sultanah of Kedah, Sultanah Maliha Tengku Ariff; the Raja Muda of Kedah, Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah; and the Tunku Mahkota of Kedah, Tunku Shazuddin Ariff, also graced the ceremony. Also present were Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, state secretary Datuk Seri Norizan Khazali and members of the State Executive Council. Sultan Sallehuddin also conferred the Darjah Datuk Seri Setia Pahlawan Yang Amat Dihormati (SSPK), which carries the titles 'Datuk Seri Indera Setia' and 'Datuk Seri Derma Wangsa', respectively, on Tun Zaki Tun Azmi and Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim. Three individuals were awarded the Darjah Dato' Setia Pahlawan Negeri Kedah Yang Amat Dihormati (DSPK), which carries the title 'Datuk Pahlawan'. They were Royal Malaysian Air Force Joint Force Commander Lieutenant General Datuk Zahani Zainal Abidin and Royal Malaysian Navy Deputy Chief Vice Admiral Datuk Ts Shamsuddin Ludin. Kedah Public Works, Natural Resources, Water Supply and Environment Committee chairman Mohamad Yusoff Zakaria received the Darjah Dato' Setia Sultan Sallehuddin Kedah (DSSS), which carries the title 'Datuk'. Six individuals were conferred the Darjah Dato' Setia Diraja Kedah (DSDK), which also carries the title 'Datuk'. They were Kubang Pasu District Officer Muhamad Mahazi Ibrahim; Malaysian Ambassador to Bahrain Shazryll Zahiran; Road Transport Department director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli; Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Investigation Division director Datuk Zainul Darus; Honorary Secretary of the Kedah State Council of Justices of the Peace Ahmad Fatahi Omar; and Fuji Electric Malaysia Sdn Bhd executive director Chong Nee Hwa. The Darjah Dato' Setia Pahlawan (DDSP), which carries the title 'Datuk', was bestowed on the Ministry of Defence's Logistics Division Assistant Chief of Staff Brigadier General Abd Hafiz Ahmad and Malaysian Armed Forces Director of Infantry Brigadier General Saiful Bahari Zainol. Four individuals received the Darjah Setia Sultan Sallehuddin Kedah (SSS), namely Kedah Agriculture, Plantation and Transport Committee chairman Dzowahir Abdul Ghani; Kedah Human Resources, Chinese, Indian and Siamese Communities and Non-Governmental Organisation Committee chairman Wong Chia Zhen; Ayer Hitam assemblyman Azhar Ibrahim; and Tunku Putri Nur Asma Dato' Paduka Tunku Ja'afar Laksmana. Eight recipients were conferred the Setia Diraja Kedah (SDK), among them Sungai Petani Municipal Council president Tunku Iskandar Shah Tunku Muszaffar Shah; Pendang district officer Nasrun Mohd Sheriff; consultant cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital Dr N. Kantha Rao; and Veterinary Services Department senior director Dr Mohd Noor Hisham Mohd Haron. Also receiving the Setia Diraja Kedah (SDK) were Public Works Department Building Facility Maintenance Branch director Ir Ahmad Shahruzi Ahmad; Kedah Forestry Department director Muhamad Abdullah; Kedah Squash Association president Andrew Lim Hwa Eng; and Kedah Sailing Association deputy president Mohd Afendy Abdullah. A total of 34 individuals were honoured with the Ahli Mahkota Kedah (AMK); 11 received the Ahli Setia Pahlawan (ASP); 24, the Bintang Perkhidmatan Cemerlang Kedah (BCK); 46, the Bintang Kebaktian Masyarakat (BKM); four, the Ahli Cemerlang Semangat Jerai Kedah (ASK); 27, the Pingat Perkhidmatan Cemerlang Kedah (PCK); 41, the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK); and 22, the Pingat Perkhidmatan Lama (PPL).
Barnama
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Chief Of Defence Force Heads Kedah Sultan's Birthday Honours List
ALOR SETAR, June 22 (Bernama) -- Chief of the Defence Force General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaafar headed the list of recipients of state honours in conjunction with the 83rd birthday of the Sultan of Kedah, Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah Aman, today. Mohd Nizam was conferred the Darjah Datuk Seri Setia Pahlawan Yang Amat Dihormati (SSPK), which carries the title 'Datuk Seri Pahlawan', at an investiture ceremony held at Istana Anak Bukit here. The Sultanah of Kedah, Sultanah Maliha Tengku Ariff; the Raja Muda of Kedah, Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah; and the Tunku Mahkota of Kedah, Tunku Shazuddin Ariff, also graced the ceremony. Also present were Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, state secretary Datuk Seri Norizan Khazali and members of the State Executive Council. Sultan Sallehuddin also conferred the Darjah Datuk Seri Setia Pahlawan Yang Amat Dihormati (SSPK), which carries the titles 'Datuk Seri Indera Setia' and 'Datuk Seri Derma Wangsa', respectively, on Tun Zaki Tun Azmi and Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim. Three individuals were awarded the Darjah Dato' Setia Pahlawan Negeri Kedah Yang Amat Dihormati (DSPK), which carries the title 'Datuk Pahlawan'. They were Royal Malaysian Air Force Joint Force Commander Lieutenant General Datuk Zahani Zainal Abidin and Royal Malaysian Navy Deputy Chief Vice Admiral Datuk Ts Shamsuddin Ludin. Kedah Public Works, Natural Resources, Water Supply and Environment Committee chairman Mohamad Yusoff Zakaria received the Darjah Dato' Setia Sultan Sallehuddin Kedah (DSSS), which carries the title 'Datuk'. Six individuals were conferred the Darjah Dato' Setia Diraja Kedah (DSDK), which also carries the title 'Datuk'. They were Kubang Pasu District Officer Muhamad Mahazi Ibrahim; Malaysian Ambassador to Bahrain Shazryll Zahiran; Road Transport Department director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli; Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Investigation Division director Datuk Zainul Darus; Honorary Secretary of the Kedah State Council of Justices of the Peace Ahmad Fatahi Omar; and Fuji Electric Malaysia Sdn Bhd executive director Chong Nee Hwa. The Darjah Dato' Setia Pahlawan (DDSP), which carries the title 'Datuk', was bestowed on the Ministry of Defence's Logistics Division Assistant Chief of Staff Brigadier General Abd Hafiz Ahmad and Malaysian Armed Forces Director of Infantry Brigadier General Saiful Bahari Zainol.
The Star
22-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Sultan Kedah attends 83rd birthday parade
ALOR SETAR: The Sultan of Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah attended a guard of honour parade in conjunction with His Highness' 83rd birthday at Dataran Medan Bandar, here on Sunday (June 22). Also attending the ceremony were the Sultanah of Kedah Sultanah Maliha Tengku Ariff and the Raja Muda of Kedah Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin. Present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, Kedah State Secretary Datuk Seri Norizan Khazali and members of the State Executive Council. A total of 103 members and three officers from the Sixth Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD) were involved in the guard of honour parade led by Major Muhammad Nasrullah Abdullah. The colour bearer was Lieutenant General Muhammad Alif Izzudin Nasirudin, while the regiment standard bearer was Warrant Officer 1 Hermi Bakry. The main guard of honour was accompanied by the RAMD Central Band led by Captain Muhamad Fauzee Japar and assisted by Warrant Officer 2 Aliff Farhan Hashim. Meanwhile, this year, a flypast was also held in conjunction with the Sultan of Kedah's 83rd Birthday Celebration by two EC 120B aircraft from the Institute of Aviation (Inspen) 2 and five PC-7 MK2 aircraft from Inspen 1. The guard of honour was also accompanied by a 21-gun salute by the 41st Battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment (Ceremonial) led by Major Hafizan Md Ghani from the 41st Battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment (Ceremonial) Sungai Buluh Camp, Selangor. - Bernama
The Sun
18-06-2025
- The Sun
Kelantan maintains vape sale ban, no licences issued since 2013
KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan government has reiterated its policy of not allowing the sale of vape products in the state, having not issued any business licences for such sales since 2013. State Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment Committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said the move was not intended to ban individual use, but to control access to vape products, particularly among teenagers and students. 'We have not issued any license for vape sale at any premises since 2013. Kelantan, along with Johor, are among the earliest states to take this stand,' he told reporters after the State Executive Council meeting at the Kota Darulnaim Complex, here today. Hilmi was responding to questions about the need to enforce the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which was passed in Parliament last year. According to him, the removal of nicotine from the First Schedule of Poisons under the Poisons Act 1952 means that vape can now be sold legally, as long as no specific regulations are enforced. 'With nicotine no longer listed under the Poisons Act, vape sales are now open due to the lack of a main regulatory body. Until Act 852 is fully enforced, gaps in regulatory control will persist,' he said. Meanwhile, Hilmi said the local authorities in Kelantan have continued to carry out regular enforcement operations to curb unlicenced vape sales. 'In 2024, a total of 40 operations were conducted, with 67 seizures. Between January and March 2025, 10 operations were conducted and 16 seizures were recorded,' he said. He stressed that repeat offenders risk strict action, including business licence revocation and permanent closure. Hilmi also acknowledged ongoing challenges in addressing illegal sales, especially through online platforms that fall outside local jurisdiction. 'Our enforcement authority is limited to the local level. Online sales are difficult to control because the federal government still permits open vape sales. This continues to allow unauthorised distribution,' he added.
