Latest news with #Putrajaya
Malay Mail
7 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Vape products regulated under Act 852, says MOH amid confusion over licensing and enforcement
PUTRAJAYA, June 2 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) today reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring strict enforcement and control on the contents and emissions of all types of smoking products to safeguard public health and safety. In a statement today, MOH clarified that the importation, manufacturing and distribution of e-cigarette liquids in the local market are strictly regulated under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 [Act 852] The ministry's Disease Control Division stated that the issuance of interim manufacturing licences for such devices falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), through the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) under the Industrial Coordination Act 1975 and local authority by-laws. MOH noted that under Section 2 of Act 852 and its accompanying regulations and orders, e-cigarette liquids are defined as smoking products and therefore strictly regulated. The ministry also clarified that multiple government agencies are involved in regulating the e-cigarette industry in Malaysia, including the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, which oversees import controls under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2008. In addition, safety standard testing for devices is conducted by SIRIM and enforced under the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Electronic Cigarette Devices) Order 2022, under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011, by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living. It stated that any decision regarding the import, manufacturing and distribution of e-cigarette liquids is a collective decision made by all relevant government agencies. MOH issued the clarification following media reports on May 28 that U.S.-based vape and e-cigarette company Ispire Technology Inc. had been granted a temporary licence to operate in Senai, Johor. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
13 hours ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt reviewing laws, focus on role of parents to prevent child abuse
Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said with her Uzbek counterpart, justice minister Akbar Tashkulov, signing the memorandum of understanding on the exchange of legal expertise, among others. (Facebook pic) PUTRAJAYA : The government is reviewing several existing legal provisions to introduce clearer and stronger obligations for parents and guardians, in its effort to prevent abuse and sexual assault of children. Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said the move would include proposing amendments to make it mandatory for parents and guardians to monitor their children's online activities, as well as to participate in digital safety awareness and education programmes actively. 'This approach reflects the principle of shared responsibility in safeguarding future generations from the growing threat of sexual crimes in the digital age,' she said in a statement issued today. Azalina said this in her keynote address, titled 'Creating a Safer Digital Future: Malaysia's Legislative Approach to Online Child' on the first day of the Tashkent Law Spring International Legal Forum 2025 in Uzbekistan, where she is currently on an official visit. In her address, Azalina also highlighted Malaysia's legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening online child protection laws and called on the international legal community to embrace a shared moral duty in addressing crimes against children. She emphasised the importance of ensuring that perpetrators of such offences are brought to justice without exception, underlining that protecting children in the digital space requires global cooperation and collective will. During the visit, Azalina also had the opportunity to hold a bilateral meeting with her counterpart, Uzbek Justice Minister Akbar Tashkulov, on May 30, with the meeting yielding meaningful results when both parties agreed to sign a new memorandum of understanding (MoU). 'This MoU will be in effect for three years and covers important aspects such as the exchange of legal expertise, cooperation in the reform of justice institutions and strengthening the capacity of the judicial systems of both countries. 'This move is very significant in supporting efforts towards a more responsive and dynamic legal system,' she said. In addition, Azalina also received a courtesy visit from the Head of Division and Senior Counsellor, Directorate of Public Governance, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Dr Tatyana Teplova. She said the meeting marked the beginning of strategic cooperation between Malaysia and the OECD, particularly in the aspects of strengthening the justice system, upholding the rule of law and improving the country's digital governance. 'I also expressed my desire for Malaysia to obtain the support of OECD expertise in implementing legal harmonisation with international standards, without disregarding local realities and the government's aspirations for sustainable institutional reform,' she said.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
What gas subsidy cut? Armizan tells Wee Ka Siong ministry just cracking down on misuse, policy not new
PUTRAJAYA, June 1 — Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali has urged Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong to review the regulations introduced during his tenure in the Cabinet before making public statements on government policies related to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) subsidies. The minister of domestic trade and cost of living said no new policies or subsidy cuts have been introduced under the Ops Gasak, after Wee accused the ministry of restricting the use of subsidised LPG to hawkers. 'Its primary focus is to combat illegal decanting, smuggling, and the use of subsidised LPG by medium- and large-scale industries,' Armizan explained in a statement. 'It is inaccurate to claim that all hawkers and food and beverage traders are prohibited from using subsidised LPG cylinders,' he added. Armizan clarified that Ops Gasak is being carried out under existing laws, including the Control of Supplies Act 1961, the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021. The 2021 amendment, which took effect on October 15, 2021, requires any party using over 42kg of LPG to obtain a Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit. He noted that this regulation was enforced during the previous administration, in which Wee served as a Cabinet minister. 'Giving him the benefit of the doubt, perhaps he overlooked this regulation as it fell under a different ministry, and his team may not have provided accurate advice before he issued his public statement,' he said. At present, Armizan said the ministry has not taken legal action, issued compounds, or confiscated goods from F&B traders without the required permit, focusing instead on advocacy and compliance awareness. Armizan said the ministry is open to receiving complaints and suggestions and has already received proposals from various parties, including DAP leaders. He added that any proposed improvements, including amendments to the 2021 regulation, would be brought to the Cabinet for consideration. On Friday, the ministry's director-general of enforcement Datuk Azman Adam explained that the inspection under Ops Gasak is only at the advocacy, review, and notification stage of compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
What gas subsidy cut? Armizan says ministry just cracking down on misuse, tells Wee policy came during his time in Cabinet
PUTRAJAYA, June 1 — Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali has urged Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong to review the regulations introduced during his tenure in the Cabinet before making public statements on government policies related to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) subsidies. The minister of domestic trade and cost of living said no new policies or subsidy cuts have been introduced under the Ops Gasak, after Wee accused the ministry of restricting the use of subsidised LPG to hawkers. 'Its primary focus is to combat illegal decanting, smuggling, and the use of subsidised LPG by medium- and large-scale industries,' Armizan explained in a statement. 'It is inaccurate to claim that all hawkers and food and beverage traders are prohibited from using subsidised LPG cylinders,' he added. Armizan clarified that Ops Gasak is being carried out under existing laws, including the Control of Supplies Act 1961, the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021. The 2021 amendment, which took effect on October 15, 2021, requires any party using over 42kg of LPG to obtain a Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit. He noted that this regulation was enforced during the previous administration, in which Wee served as a Cabinet minister. 'Giving him the benefit of the doubt, perhaps he overlooked this regulation as it fell under a different ministry, and his team may not have provided accurate advice before he issued his public statement,' he said. At present, Armizan said the ministry has not taken legal action, issued compounds, or confiscated goods from F&B traders without the required permit, focusing instead on advocacy and compliance awareness. Armizan said the ministry is open to receiving complaints and suggestions and has already received proposals from various parties, including DAP leaders. He added that any proposed improvements, including amendments to the 2021 regulation, would be brought to the Cabinet for consideration. On Friday, the ministry's director-general of enforcement Datuk Azman Adam explained that the inspection under Ops Gasak is only at the advocacy, review, and notification stage of compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘No status quo to maintain': Court of Appeal rejects Hydroshoppe's bid to block KL Tower deal
PUTRAJAYA, May 31 — The Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed an appeal by the former operator of the Kuala Lumpur Tower and its subsidiary to obtain an ad interim injunction to stop the award of the KL Tower concession to LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd. The decision was delivered by a three-member bench comprising Justices Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, Datuk Dr Choo Kah Sing and Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh. Justice Sequerah, who delivered the court's unanimous decision, said Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd and its subsidiary Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd failed to meet the legal threshold for the grant of an ad interim injunction. 'We are of the view that there is no status quo to maintain as the fifth supplementary agreement has lapsed on March 31, this year,' he said. Justice Sequerah ordered Hydroshoppe and Menara KL to pay legal costs totalling RM30,000 to the respondents. The respondents were the Ministry of Communications, its minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, the government, LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd, LSH Best Builders Sdn Bhd and Service Master (M) Sdn Bhd. The appeal was against the decision of the High Court in April, this year which had similarly dismissed the application for the ad interim injunction. Hydroshoppe and Menara KL had filed a breach of contract suit against the respondents, claiming that LSH and its units had induced a breach of contract that the companies (Hydroshoppe and Menara KL) had agreed to with the government in an August 2022 meeting. They claimed that LSH Capital and its units had committed dishonest assistance, and want the award of the KL Tower concession to LSH Service Master to be declared void and unlawful. They are also claiming an estimated RM1 billion in damages, and for the concession of the iconic Kuala Lumpur landmark building to be transferred back to them. The High Court will hear the inter parte injunction on June 9. It will also hear on June 5, an ex parte contempt application filed by the companies. In the proceedings before the Court of Appeal yesterday, lawyer Vinayak Sri Ram represented Hydroshoppe and Menara Kuala Lumpur, Senior Federal Counsel Ahmad Hanir Hambaly@Arwi for the Ministry of Communications, Fahmi and the government. Lawyer Datuk Malik Imtiaz Sarwar represented LSH Service Master, LSH Best Builders and Service Master. — Bernama
