Latest news with #Poisons(Amendment)Bill2025
Barnama
30-07-2025
- Health
- Barnama
Poisons Act Amendment Passed To Boost Enforcement Powers
PUTRAJAYA, July 29 (Bernama) -- The Dewan Rakyat passed the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025 yesterday, signalling the government's continued commitment to curbing the misuse of controlled substances through more robust and inclusive enforcement. In a joint statement today, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Home Ministry (KDN) said the Bill aims to enhance the effectiveness of enforcement under the Poisons Act 1952, which governs the use, possession, and distribution of poisons and psychotropic substances in Malaysia. 'These amendments are intended to allow for faster, more comprehensive and responsive action in addressing threats to public health and national security,' the ministries said. The Bill was passed by a majority voice vote after being debated by 12 Members of Parliament from both the government and the opposition. Key provisions include expanding enforcement authority to all police officers regardless of rank, and to other officers appointed by the Health Minister — including those from other ministries or agencies — as needed. Under the current provisions, only three categories of officers have enforcement authority - Drug Enforcement Officers (pharmacists in the public service), police officers ranked Inspector and above, and senior Customs officers. 'However, in practice, patrol and inspection duties are usually carried out by lower-ranked officers such as constables and corporals. Therefore, expanding enforcement powers to all police personnel will improve operational efficiency and coverage,' read the statement. The Bill also addresses enforcement gaps in areas where authorised officers are not present. The Health Minister is now empowered to appoint other officers, under set terms and conditions, to assist in enforcement when needed. Additional focus has been placed on enhancing officer training, supervision, and coordination of control over listed poisons and prohibited substances, including those found in vape products, to ensure stronger safeguards for both public health and national safety.
Malaysiakini
29-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysiakini
MP urges govt to raise vape taxes to match cigarette rates
Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan called on the government to immediately increase taxes on nicotine vape liquid to align with cigarette tax 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...
The Sun
29-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Poisons Act amendment boosts enforcement in Malaysia
PUTRAJAYA: The Dewan Rakyat passed the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025 yesterday, signalling the government's continued commitment to curbing the misuse of controlled substances through more robust and inclusive enforcement. In a joint statement today, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Home Ministry (KDN) said the Bill aims to enhance the effectiveness of enforcement under the Poisons Act 1952, which governs the use, possession, and distribution of poisons and psychotropic substances in Malaysia. 'These amendments are intended to allow for faster, more comprehensive and responsive action in addressing threats to public health and national security,' the ministries said. The Bill was passed by a majority voice vote after being debated by 12 Members of Parliament from both the government and the opposition. Key provisions include expanding enforcement authority to all police officers regardless of rank, and to other officers appointed by the Health Minister — including those from other ministries or agencies — as needed. Under the current provisions, only three categories of officers have enforcement authority - Drug Enforcement Officers (pharmacists in the public service), police officers ranked Inspector and above, and senior Customs officers. 'However, in practice, patrol and inspection duties are usually carried out by lower-ranked officers such as constables and corporals. Therefore, expanding enforcement powers to all police personnel will improve operational efficiency and coverage,' read the statement. The Bill also addresses enforcement gaps in areas where authorised officers are not present. The Health Minister is now empowered to appoint other officers, under set terms and conditions, to assist in enforcement when needed. Additional focus has been placed on enhancing officer training, supervision, and coordination of control over listed poisons and prohibited substances, including those found in vape products, to ensure stronger safeguards for both public health and national safety. - Bernama
New Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Dewan Rakyat passes Poisons Act amendments to broaden enforcement powers, definitions
KUALA LUMPUR: The Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025, which seeks to broaden the definitions of enforcement authority and premises, has passed its third reading in the Dewan Rakyat. The bill was tabled for its first reading in the lower house of Parliament on Tuesday. The proposed amendments revise four clauses under the Poisons Act 1952 (Act 366), with the primary objective of expanding the definitions of "enforcement authority" and "premises." Notably, the amendment to Section 2 of the Act updates the definition of "authorised officer" to include police officers of any rank, as well as individuals appointed by the Health Minister under Section 31A. Previously, only police officers holding a rank of Inspector or higher qualified as authorised officers. The bill also broadens the definition of "premises" to include any land, building or part of any building, as well as any installation or structure on land, offshore or otherwise and whether movable or immovable, to apply to the entire act. The amendment also includes a new section 31A to empower the Health Minister to appoint any person as an authorised officer under Act 366.
New Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
MP urges government to list etomidate as dangerous drug
KUALA LUMPUR: A government backbencher has called on the government to list etomidate under the Poisons Act and the Dangerous Drugs Act, following reports of the drug being fatal in Singapore. Bandar Kuching member of parliament Dr Kelvin Yii said etomidate is an intravenous anaesthetic drug that has been misused as a recreational substance through vape products, often marketed as Kpods. "This is not just a theory or speculation. We are witnessing the harsh reality where this drug has already claimed lives in our neighbouring country, Singapore. "If Malaysia does not act swiftly and firmly, we too may face preventable deaths, especially among our youth. "Etomidate is an intravenous anaesthetic drug, but it has been misused as a recreational substance. It is not safe. There is a risk of sudden death when inhaling etomidate," he said during his debate on the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025. He said users may suffer severe respiratory distress, sudden unconsciousness, injury, and adrenal crisis, which affects the body's ability to produce stress hormones like cortisol for several days. "This can cause dangerously low blood pressure and organ failure." Yii said Kpods, which often contain this substance, are heavily marketed to young people. He added that Singapore has listed etomidate under its Poisons Act and has gone a step further to upgrade its classification to a dangerous drug. "I believe we should learn from this and not wait until our children are affected or lives are lost. "I call on the government to classify etomidate as a dangerous drug. "I believe the Health Ministry, the National Anti-Drugs Agency, and the Home Ministry must ensure that both the Poisons Act and the Dangerous Drugs Act are amended to explicitly regulate etomidate as an illegal substance, with penalties that reflect its serious harm to our children. "We must also enforce existing vape laws more strictly. This includes increasing inspections and raids against illegal vape distributors and considering stricter controls over vape liquids and devices," he said. He also urged the government to enhance Malaysia's capabilities in detection and forensic analysis. He said immediate funding should be allocated to the Chemistry Department, the police forensic unit, and relevant laboratories to acquire specialised equipment such as GC-MS/MS, and to develop validated testing protocols for detecting etomidate in vape liquids and biological samples like urine and blood. "I also urge the Health Ministry to issue strong warnings and implement aggressive public education campaigns. "We need a national campaign to ensure that our children understand the dangers of this poison. "There should also be messaging that Kpods can stop your breathing and kill you instantly. Etomidate is not a toy. These Kpods are not toys. I believe this campaign must continue and be targeted at both parents and children," he said. Last week, it was reported that Singapore is working to list etomidate as a Class C drug under its Misuse of Drugs Act. Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung was quoted in a report published by CNA as saying that authorities had randomly tested more than 100 seized vape devices, and one-third were found to contain etomidate. Ong also noted that there have been deaths including from traffic accidents and unnatural causes in which etomidate was implicated, with investigations still ongoing.
