Latest news with #MuzaffarSyahMallow
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Don: Make smoking, vaping Syariah criminal offences
Muzaffar said a 2022 study conducted by several Western researchers found a positive correlation between vaping and the frequency and severity of asthma and obstructive lung disease.- AFP file photo KUCHING (June 5): The government is urged to consider making smoking and vaping Syariah criminal offences in the country. In making this call, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia's Faculty of Syariah and Law associate professor Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow said such a move should help eradicate smoking habit and addiction, particularly among Muslims nationwide. Muzaffar pointed out that many studies have indicated that about half of smokers die from smoking-related causes. 'Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body. Many studies show that smoking leads to diseases affecting the heart, liver and lungs, and emerges as a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (including emphysema and chronic bronchitis) and cancer (particularly lung cancer, cancers of the larynx and mouth and pancreatic cancer),' he said in a statement today. Muzaffar stated the World Health Organisation estimated that tobacco killed eight million people annually as of 2019, with 100 million deaths recorded over the course of the 20th century. He said an outbreak of severe vaping lung illness occurred in the United States in 2019 and 2020, adding that vaping has been linked with damage to the lungs, cardiovascular system as well as the brain. A 2022 study conducted by several Western researchers found a positive correlation between vaping and the frequency and severity of asthma and obstructive lung disease, he said. He added that the same study also found a positive correlation between the usage of e-cigarettes and medical conditions such as myocardial infarctions, coronary artery disease and strokes. 'Regarding the brain, vapors from e-cigarettes can damage neurons in developing brains, impairing the decision-making process and leading to more frequent impulsive decisions,' he said. According to Muzaffar, the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs of Malaysia had in March 1995 agreed that 'Smoking is forbidden in Islam because in it there is harm.' 'A similar stance has also been taken for vaping. In 2025, the National Fatwa Council in 2015 ruled that vaping is forbidden. Although Islam has clearly explained the dangers of smoking and vaping through Fatwa, many Muslims in the country still take the issue lightly,' he said. As such, he called for drastic measures, including proper legislation to address the matter. He pointed to Section 15 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997 [Act 559] states: 'Any person who during the hours of fasting in Ramadan sells to any Muslim any food, drink, cigarette or other form of tobacco for immediate consumption during such hours; or (b) openly or in a public place is found to be eating, drinking or smoking, shall be guilty of an offence.' He explained that upon conviction, offenders would be liable to a fine not exceeding RM1,000, or to a jail term of not more than six months, or both; and for a subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding RM2,000, or to a jail term of not more than one year, or both. 'It would be much better if we could insert a specific section in the Syariah Offences Act and Enactments to make smoking and vaping criminal offences. 'This is to send a strong signal or reminder to everybody, especially to Muslims in the country, about the health hazards of smoking and vaping,' he said. Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow lead smoking syariah offences vaping
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Express
Make smoking, vaping Syariah offences, says academic
Published on: Wednesday, June 04, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 04, 2025 Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. KUALA LUMPUR: The government should consider classifying smoking and vaping as Syariah criminal offences to reinforce public health efforts and curb addiction among Muslims in Malaysia, says a law academic. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (Usim) Syariah and Law Faculty Associate Prof Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow, in a statement, said such a move would support ongoing efforts to combat smoking, which continues to have devastating health impacts on society. He noted that although cigarette smoking remains the most common form, the rapid spread of modern alternatives such as electronic cigarettes and vape devices has complicated the issue. Cigarettes, which contain toxic chemicals from the tobacco leaf and those produced during combustion, are known to cause harm to nearly every organ and are linked to numerous life-threatening illnesses. Citing global statistics, he said smoking contributes to around eight million deaths annually, with half of all smokers dying from smoking-related causes including cancer, heart disease, and lung complications. Vaping, which involves inhaling vapour from devices powered by batteries and atomisers, has similarly been linked to serious health issues including lung damage, cardiovascular disease, and impaired brain function, especially in young users. He referred to international studies showing vaping increases risks for asthma, strokes, and coronary conditions, and may affect brain development, leading to poor decision-making and impulsive behaviour. Muzaffar pointed out that Islam has long addressed the dangers of smoking, with a fatwa issued by the National Fatwa Council in 1995 declaring smoking haram due to the harm it causes to individuals and those around them. The 2015 fatwa further extended this ruling to electronic cigarettes and vape devices, but enforcement remains lacking, as many Muslims still downplay the severity of the issue. He urged for specific legal provisions to be added to the Syariah Criminal Offences Act and State Enactments, making smoking and vaping offences in their own right, beyond the current Ramadan-related restrictions, to reflect the seriousness of their health and moral implications. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
28-04-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Employers urged to prioritise workplace safety in line with the law
Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow KUCHING (April 28): Employers must establish clear and comprehensive workplace policies to ensure the safety of all employees in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, said Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow. The Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia's Faculty of Syariah and Law associate professor stated that employers are obligated to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of their employees both at the workplace and throughout their employment. 'Employers have a legal duty to take reasonable care of their employees' health and safety. An employer can be found liable for negligence if it breaches this duty,' he said in a statement today. The statement was issued in conjunction with World Day for Safety and Health at Work, observed annually on April 28 to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases worldwide. Muzaffar emphasised that workplace safety and health must not be taken lightly, cautioning that failing to implement proper safety rules and procedures could have serious consequences for workers. 'Although no specific regulation in the country requires employers to ensure employees' safety while commuting to and from work, employers should take steps to ensure the safety of their employees,' he said. He noted that in February 2023, the Social Security Organisation (Socso) revealed it receives about 60,000 reports annually related to work-related commuting accidents and occupational diseases. 'In 2022, a total of 64,168 cases were reported to Socso, of which 35,015 involved industrial or workplace mishaps, while 29,153 were commuting accidents. 'Tragically, 864 workers lost their lives, including 255 due to industrial accidents and 609 from commuting accidents, an increase from 525 workers, who died due to road accidents in 2021,' he added. Muzaffar urged employers to collaborate with the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and the relevant institutions such as the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), Road Safety Department of Malaysia, Road Transport Department, Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) to stay updated on the latest road safety guidelines. He said employers must ensure that these guidelines are accessible to raise awareness and promote road safety for those commuting to and from the workplace. employers lead Muzaffar Syah Mallow safety and health
Borneo Post
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Assessment, not exam-based, should be today's way in education, says don
The academician points out that the voices of students must be heard first since they are the ones facing actions and decisions taken by the government, when it comes to national education. — Bernama photo KUCHING (April 26): The government should consider abolishing the examination process in the country and introduce an assessment approach in line with this modern era. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia's Faculty of Syariah and Law associate professor Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow, who made this call, said students today needed to learn many survival skills to compete in this complex and interconnected world, rather than focusing on theoretical and academic excellence. 'They need to master social and communication skills, and learn how to use new and modern technologies, the art of critical thinking and many more. 'All these skills cannot be picked up through theoretical and academic processes in a classroom, nor can they be assessed through the examination process,' he said in a statement yesterday. The academician also believed that abolishing examinations could reduce the stress level among students, who had been put through a lot of pressure to excel in their studies by scoring As. He said students who were unable to obtain A would feel that they were not smart enough to survive and succeed in this world. 'With no more examinations in school, the parents would also become more relaxed instead of pushing their children to score high marks. 'This would prevent unnecessary conflicts between the parents and the children – not to mention that parents would no longer need to spend time and energy on comparing the academic achievements among their children. 'The time has come for Malaysians to change their mindset, not to see the examination process as the only way to evaluate an individual.' Adding on, Muzaffar Syah suggested that the Ministry of Education (MoU) would set up a special committee to look into his proposal. 'This committee should comprise educational experts, particularly those familiar with the country's education system, teachers as well as relevant NGOs (non-governmental organisations).' He said the ministry could also conduct a survey among students with regard to the proposal. 'The voices of our students must be heard first since they are the ones facing actions and decisions taken by the government,' he added. In relation to this, Muzaffar Syah was glad that the government decided to abolish Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) in 2021 and Form 3 Assessment (PT3) in 2022. 'The government could do more by abolishing the remaining examinations such as SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) or STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia). 'We can no longer rely on the examination process to assess our students in school. We need to opt for other methods of assessment in order to effectively assess our students.' assessment approach examination lead Muzaffar Syah Mallow
