MP urges govt to raise vape taxes to match cigarette rates
He argued that current pricing disparities are encouraging widespread vape usage among youths.
In a statement focusing on yesterday's parliamentary debate on the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025, Wan Saiful highlighted...
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![Legal framework for whistleblowers too rigid, says integrity institute chief [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Legal framework for whistleblowers too rigid, says integrity institute chief [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) believes that the current legal framework governing whistleblowers is too rigid to protect informants effectively, and that a realistic and robust system is long overdue. IIM president and chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Ramdzan Daud said more safeguards are needed to protect those who dare to expose wrongdoing from within. "Who would willingly come forward with information about a syndicate if their own life is at serious risk?" he said. Ramdzan, a former Special Branch director, said the legal requirements should not discourage the very people the system needed to come forward. The current internal systems, particularly supervisory roles and structural vulnerabilities, must be reviewed, he said. Ramdzan, who is also the former Special Branch director, said whistleblowers aren't created overnight. "A person working inside a syndicate, for example, has likely been involved in its activities for some time. It's not as simple as someone working today and turning into a whistleblower tomorrow. They've likely thought long and hard about the risks involved. "If they're willing to come forward, then we have to ask: what can we offer them? And more importantly, is that offer worth the risk in their eyes? They know that the moment they blow the whistle, their identity is essentially exposed. They become a target. And that's where we step in — to offer protection and support." Ramdzan's statement comes as the government is pressing ahead with reforms to the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025, which were passed in the Dewan Rakyat last month. Some of the amendments were expanding reporting channels and including the possibility of allowing disclosures to parties other than enforcement agencies, with the aim of encouraging more whistleblowers to come forward without fear. Civil society organisations and politicians have called for more changes, such as protection for disclosures made in good faith to the media, and for whistleblowers who may have been complicit but are key to exposing systemic abuse. Under the current law, protection is only extended when disclosures are made to enforcement agencies, such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. Public disclosures — including to the media — are excluded, and whistleblower protection may be revoked if the informant is found to be involved in the offence. Ramdzan said formalising a "risk-and-reward" mechanism waskey to effective deterrence and could help address the limitations of the existing Whistleblower Protection Act 2010. He said whistleblowers who help prevent significant financial losses should be fairly compensated. "If we manage to prevent the leakage of RM1 million in subsidised goods, is it unreasonable to suggest that 10 or 15 per cent go to the informant?" he said. He said a certificate of appreciation carries little weight and informants who provide information leading to major busts should receive meaningful rewards. However, he cautioned that whistleblowing must not be driven purely by personal gain. "If every case involving money turns into a reward opportunity, we risk losing control," he said. "If someone comes forward out of revenge, such as failing to secure a contract, they are an offender too. Integrity must exist even in the whistleblower," he added.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Minimum wage extended to contract apprentices as amended act takes effect
PUTRAJAYA: The current minimum wage has been extended to apprenticeship contract workers after the National Wages Consultative Council (Amendment) Act 2025 came into effect yesterday. In a statement, the Human Resources Ministry said Minister Steven Sim had set Aug 1, 2025, as the commencement date for the amendments. "Under the amendment, the current minimum wage now applies to apprenticeship contract workers, in line with the government's commitment to enhancing protection and welfare for all categories of workers," the statement read. An apprenticeship contract refers to an agreement in which an employer undertakes to employ and systematically train a person in a specific trade, ranging from six to 24 months, during which the apprentice is bound to work for the employer. The ministry also expressed appreciation to employers who had already been paying the minimum wage to apprenticeship workers ahead of the legal requirement. It then reminded employers paying wages above the minimum rate that they are not permitted to reduce salaries to match the statutory threshold. The ministry announced that the Minimum Wage Order 2024 will take effect on Aug 1, 2025, setting a minimum wage of RM1,700 per month for employers with fewer than five employees who are not engaged in professional activities classified under the Malaysian Standard Classification of Occupations 2020. The ministry urged employers to comply with the minimum wage laws enforced by the Peninsular Malaysia Department of Labour, Sabah Labour Department and the Sarawak Labour Department. Employers found guilty of failing to do so face fines of up to RM10,000 for each affected worker, the statement concluded.– BERNAMA
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Eight bills passed during second week of Dewan Rakyat sitting
KUALA LUMPUR: The tabling of the 13th Malaysian Plan (13MP) for the period 2026 to 2030 dominated proceedings in the second week of the Dewan Rakyat session. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in tabling the 13MP, themed "Redesigning Development", said a total of RM611 billion in investments would be required to drive the country's development over the five-year period. In his speech, which lasted nearly 90 minutes, Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the 13MP is anchored on three main principles, namely, the establishment of a sovereign and dignified nation, a people-centric Madani social system, and the transition to an artificial intelligence-driven economy. The 13MP is structured around four key pillars, namely, strengthening economic resilience, enhancing social mobility, accelerating the implementation of the Public Service Reform Agenda, and improving the well-being of the people alongside environmental sustainability. According to the Dewan Rakyat calendar, members of parliament will participate in the debate session starting this Monday until August 14, followed by ministerial responses for four days from Aug 18 to 21. The Second Meeting of the Fourth Term of the 15th Parliament is scheduled to continue for 24 days until Aug 28. During this week's sitting, the Dewan Rakyat passed eight bills, namely the Cross-Border Insolvency Bill 2025, the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025 and the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025. Others are the Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Education (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Electricity Supply (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Energy Commission (Amendment) Bill 2025. Meanwhile, the Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill 2025, which aims to protect local industries from unfair trade practices and ensure the competitiveness of Malaysian products, was tabled for first reading. Among the highlighted issues this week was the Operation Safe Lungs (Op Selamat PaPa), which will be launched by the Health Ministry to enhance enforcement of the Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024, especially concerning electronic cigarettes or vapes. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the operation is aimed not just at protecting male smokers, but also women and families exposed to passive smoking. Meanwhile, the Education Ministry has completed the Vertical School Development Planning Guide which incorporates key principles such as student safety and supervision, curriculum-friendly, sustainable and ease of maintenance. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the guide would be presented to the cabinet for approval. The tragic case involving the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir also drew serious concern during the debate on the Education (Amendment) Bill 2025. MPs from both government and opposition blocs called for stronger measures against bullying and for improved safety in schools. In response, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, during the winding-up session of the bill, assured that a transparent investigation would be conducted to ensure justice is served. — BERNAMA
