Latest news with #MMKN
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Selangor laying the groundwork to phase out single-use plastic straws
Wong said authorities should roll out the initiative with incentives. SELANGOR is reviewing local laws to identify which authority should enforce the phasing out of single-use plastic straws. 'The process of identifying the authority in charge has begun,' said Jamaliah Jamaluddin. The state public health and environment committee chairman said when it came to the law, a series of discussions was needed. 'This is to ensure there's no conflict or loophole when it is approved at the Selangor State Executive Council (MMKN) level. We are currently undergoing that process,' she said. Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin, said the straw ban was an awareness campaign promoted during her tenure as Minister of Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment in 2018. The 'Say No to Single-use Plastic Straw' posters are still on the walls of some restaurants. 'We wanted the public to be aware that plastic straws are harmful. Many places, such as cafes, are still giving away biodegradable straws. 'However, places such as mamak stalls may be facing cost-related issues. 'Bigger food and beverage companies are already using biodegradable straws. However, plastic straws are still available due to cost and customer preferences,' she said. She added that under the Malaysia Plastic Sustainability Roadmap 2021–2030, the single- use plastic straw was among top 10 items listed to be phased out. 'We have to see this in totality and consider the progress we are making. I will certainly bring this matter up in Parliament,' said Yeo. The implementation of any new directive related to single- use plastics, including straws should be legally enforced to be effective, said Wong Si Peng. The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre) events and projects officer said institutionalised changes were needed for a positive outcome. She called for a bottom-up approach and the empowerment of local authorities to roll out the initiative with incentives. 'Ideas to ban or stop the use of certain items should not be implemented haphazardly; instead, they must be thoroughly thought out,' she said. Wong added that the issue of overflowing of landfills should be of great concern to all parties. She said one promising local council was Kota Kinabalu City Hall, which enforced a policy where no plastic bags were provided in shops, and no fee was collected. 'If you want a bag, you have to buy a recyclable one. This encourages people to bring their own bags when shopping,' she said. Wong hopes data is collected on these initiatives to reduce waste through the ban of single- use plastics, and that it is made publicly accessible. 'Such data is valuable to inform policy drafting,' she said. — By SHEILA SRI PRIYA
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Melaka Vape Ban: Executive Council to Deliberate Proposal
MELAKA: The proposal to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes or vapes in Melaka will be tabled and discussed in more detail at the State Executive Council (MMKN), said state Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman, Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem. He said this shows Melaka's high commitment to public health given that there have been many cases of lung-related diseases linked to the use of vapes recorded by the state Health Department lately. 'We are seeing more and more health cases involving vapes. So there is a need for us to bring this issue to the MMKN meeting so that a decision can be taken on the sale of vapes,' he said. He was speaking to reporters after officiating Melaka's 2025 World Tuberculosis Day and the Wellness On Wheel Roadshow in conjunction with the People's Representative Programme for the Sungai Udang state constituency at Japerun Sungai Udang here today. Also present were the state's senior executive councillor for Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management Datuk Rais Yasin. who is also the Sungai Udang seat coordinator and Melaka Health Department director Dr Ruzita Mustaffa. Meanwhile, Rais said his committee and the local authorities (PBT) would act in accordance with the decision made by the MMKN regarding the sale of vape later. 'We will look at the framework of the proposal that the state Health Department will bring to the upcoming meeting and the PBT will implement it when the time comes. If the decision is to ban (sales), we will follow it,' he said. He said that so far, the number of applications for vape sale permits and licensed vape sales in Melaka is quite high. 'But for me, what we are more worried about are traders who are hiding behind electronic device sales licences. So if there is an order to ban it, we will do so and it will make enforcement easier,' he said. Commenting further, he said assistance from the federal government is also needed, in terms of standardising regulations or banning vape nationwide. 'However, we will look at it from all angles, including (e-cigarette and vape) entrepreneurs, and we want a win-win situation. At the same time, we will continue to prioritise public safety and health,' he said.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Selangor govt orders removal of advertisements promoting vape products
PETALING JAYA: The Selangor State Government has ordered local councils to remove advertisements promoting vape products to restrict the use of e-cigarettes, especially among the youth. The directive follows a state coordination meeting chaired by Selangor public health and environment committee chairman, Jamaliah Jamaluddin. She said the state was considering a complete ban on vape products across Selangor. 'The meeting has decided that all local councils in Selangor take immediate action by confiscating and seizing advertisements promoting vape products across all advertising media, whether physical or digital. This action is in line with the provisions of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2023 (Act 852), which clearly prohibits all forms of advertising, promotion, and sponsorship related to electronic smoking products,' she said in a statement. The meeting addressed several issues related to the use and sale of vape products, including enforcement challenges, licensing, legal aspects, and monitoring. The issue of online sales was also discussed, as it is difficult to regulate and often serves as a primary channel for teenagers to access these products, she said. The use of vape products among teenagers has shown a significant increase, Jamaliah said, citing the 2022 National Health and Morbidity Survey, which estimated that nearly 14.9% of male teenagers aged 13 to 17 in Malaysia use vape products. 'This statistic is deeply concerning and highlights the urgent need for proactive measures at the state level,' she added. Jamaliah also said that the state government, through the Selangor state standing committee on public health, plans to have a follow-up meeting in the near future to discuss suitable policy options before the final proposal is presented to the Selangor State Executive Council (MMKN) for a decision. 'The State Government also strongly encourages the active involvement of parents, educational institutions, civil society, and relevant agencies at both State and Federal levels to ensure that the measures taken are truly effective and sustainable,' she concluded. Terengganu and Perlis have reportedly announced a ban on vape sales from August 1 while Kedah will start phasing out renewal of vape sales licenses in the state. Meanwhile, the Penang state government has discussed a proposal to ban the sale of vapes at all business premises on April 29.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Selangor to discuss proposed vape sales ban at state govt council meeting
KUALA SELANGOR: The proposal to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes or vape in Selangor will be presented and discussed more thoroughly at the upcoming State Government Council meeting (MMKN), said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. He said Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin had been instructed to do so following an integrated meeting held with the agencies involved. "I have instructed that a paper be made and presented for us to consider because any decision by the state government must be made comprehensively by looking at all aspects so that it can guarantee the health of current and future generations," he said. He said this at a press conference after the handover ceremony of the Raw Water Guarantee Scheme (SJAM) Package A and Package C Project here today. Earlier, Jamaliah in a statement announced that the integrated meeting with the Menteri Besar's Office involved the Selangor State Health Department, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and the local authorities. According to Jamaliah, the meeting was held to obtain a comprehensive overview of the enforcement, legal and socio-economic aspects related to the sale of vape. On April 24, the media reported that the Terengganu state government will enforce a ban on the sale of electronic cigarette products at all premises in the state starting August 1.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Selangor mulls vape sales ban, decision pending MMKN meet
KUALA SELANGOR: The proposal to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes or vape in Selangor will be presented and discussed more thoroughly at the upcoming State Government Council meeting (MMKN), said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. He said Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin had been instructed to do so following an integrated meeting held with the agencies involved. 'I have instructed that a paper be made and presented to MMKN for us to consider because any decision by the state government must be made comprehensively by looking at all aspects so that it can guarantee the health of current and future generations,' he said. He said this at a press conference after the handover ceremony of the Raw Water Guarantee Scheme (SJAM) Package A and Package C Project here today. Earlier, Jamaliah in a statement announced that the integrated meeting with the Menteri Besar's Office involved the Selangor State Health Department (JKNS), the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) and the Local Authorities (PBT). According to Jamaliah, the meeting was held to obtain a comprehensive overview of the enforcement, legal and socio-economic aspects related to the sale of vape. On April 24, the media reported that the Terengganu state government will enforce a ban on the sale of electronic cigarette products at all premises in the state starting August 1.
