
Engage with local experts to frame law on use of ketum
This decision has been backed by the Health Ministry, according to a report in a local English daily.
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The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Health event was misrepresented as 'gay party', say rights group
PETALING JAYA: A recent police raid in Kelantan, initially labelled as a "gay party," was actually a health event, claims rights group Justice for Sisters. The group is urging the Kelantan police to verify and correct any misinformation they disseminated regarding the event. The incident, which was widely reported, sparked quick discriminatory remarks against LGBTQ individuals from various quarters, increasing fears of further discrimination and marginalisation. "Justice for Sisters' documentation of the event is completely different from the police's account," the group stated. According to the group, the event was a health initiative providing sexual health and HIV-related information, condoms, and voluntary testing to promote safer sexual practices. Healthcare providers were present to deliver health talks. By midnight, the event was winding down, with about 20 individuals awaiting their test results. "None of them provided sexual services at the event or were there to provide sexual services. The attendees were at the event to seek sexual health information and tests," the group clarified. Contrary to police claims, no attendees paid a fee to attend, nor was the event promoted on social media. Justice for Sisters also noted that although police tested the remaining attendees for drug use, all results were negative. However, three individuals were arrested for possessing intimate content, which the group maintains are trumped-up charges. The raid has heightened fears among LGBTQ individuals about seeking health services or attending similar events in the future. The group highlighted that police have generally refrained from raiding health events targeting marginalised groups, as such actions counter public health goals. Expressing concern about this re-emerging trend, Justice for Sisters urged the Health Ministry to investigate. "Such raids and threats to health centres have a deterring effect on health-seeking behaviour among marginalised populations," they said. The group also documented human rights violations by the police during the raid, including privacy breaches and degrading treatment of attendees. They called for police to adopt a compassionate and professional approach to ensure the rights of marginalised groups are protected.


The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Legal review advised for drug pricing order to ensure compliance, says doctor
JOHOR BARU: The newly gazetted Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drugs) Order 2025 should be referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers for a comprehensive legal review before its enforcement, according to local medical practitioner Dr Boo Cheng Hau. Dr Boo emphasised that while the initiative aims to protect patients' rights by ensuring fair pricing of medicines and medical consultation fees, its legal foundation under current laws is questionable. "It is just to uphold the rights of patients, but the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 must be interpreted together with other existing laws such as the Consumer Protection Act 1999, the Medical Act 1971 and the Poisons Act 1952," he stated. This statement comes in response to Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Amirzan Mohd Ali's announcement in May about the formulation and gazetting of the new price control order under Section 10 of the 2011 Act, which mandates private hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies to display prices of medicines. Amirzan contended that the Act empowers the ministry to regulate prices of "goods and services" provided to consumers. However, Dr Boo, a former Skudai assemblyman and current DAP Taman Ungku Tun Aminah branch publicity secretary, argued that this interpretation might exceed the ministry's jurisdiction. He cited Section 2(2)(f) of the Consumer Protection Act 1999, noting that healthcare and other professional services are explicitly exempted from consumer law, as they are regulated under separate professional legislation. "Although Section 4 and Section 5 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act do give the ministry powers to set maximum and minimum prices, medical charges fall under the jurisdiction of the Health Ministry via the Medical Act 1971 and the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998," Dr Boo explained. He further noted that the sale, licensing, and regulation of medicines are governed by the Poisons Act 1952, the Sale of Drugs Act 1952, and the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, all under the Health Ministry's purview. "The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry does not have the technical expertise, authority or jurisdiction to regulate pharmaceutical licensing or pricing. These responsibilities lie solely with the Health Ministry," he asserted. Dr Boo urged that the Cabinet should ensure laws are not interpreted unilaterally by ministers and should seek clarification from the Attorney-General's Chambers to ensure lawful enforcement and coordination between ministries. He warned that poor legal coordination could lead to enforcement issues, confusion, and exploitation in the healthcare sector, despite the government's commendable intention to protect patients' rights. Dr Boo highlighted inconsistencies in pharmaceutical pricing, with complaints about private hospitals charging significantly more than chain pharmacies, which sometimes sell drugs at up to 75% below typical market rates. He also raised concerns about pharmacies offering consultations outside their licensed scope and tampering with prescriptions, causing complications for patients. Dr Boo concluded that a clear legal framework is essential for regulating the health sector, stressing the need for better coordination among doctors, pharmacists, and paramedics to prevent profiteering, protect patients' rights, and uphold the ethical standards of the medical profession.


Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Johor DAP's Dr Boo calls on Cabinet to seek AG's review on drug price order amid legal concerns
JOHOR BARU, July 19 — Johor DAP activist Dr Boo Cheng Hau called on the Cabinet to refer the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drugs) Order 2025 to the Attorney-General's Chambers for a legal review. He claimed that the order, which requires private hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies to display drug prices, may be outside the jurisdiction of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN). 'The power to regulate medical services and medications, the existing relevant medical laws must be amended when necessary to empower the Health Ministry to do so, as they have the necessary expertise and jurisdiction. 'Protecting patients' rights is the responsibility of the medical fraternity, and the pharmaceutical industry has always had certain rules for drug prices and each pharmaceutical manufacturer will have a recommended selling price for each drug. 'Ultimately, patients will benefit from a more transparent system, but the powers and authority to regulate drug prices naturally falls within the scope of the Health Ministry's jurisdiction and authority,' said Dr Boo in a statement today. He was responding to the announcement by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Amirzan Mohd Ali in May that his ministry has formulated and gazetted the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Making for Drugs) Order 2025 in accordance with Section 10 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, requiring private hospitals, clinics and pharmacies to display drug prices. Dr Boo, who is also a medical practitioner, called on the Cabinet to improve the coordination between various ministers and governmental departments. 'No cabinet minister should interpret the laws unilaterally, but must submit the relevant laws to the Attorney General's Office for further review to avoid mishaps,' he said. On May 1, the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) alleged that KPDN enforcement officers visited clinics and threatened to issue summonses for failing to display medicine prices. The mandatory drug price display ruling came into force on May 1. However, the Health Ministry later announced that no summons or punitive action will be taken just yet, pending a three-month grace period to focus on public education and advocacy.