Latest news with #StateExecutiveCouncil


The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Kelantan maintains vape sale ban, no licences issued since 2013
KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan government has reiterated its policy of not allowing the sale of vape products in the state, having not issued any business licences for such sales since 2013. State Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment Committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said the move was not intended to ban individual use, but to control access to vape products, particularly among teenagers and students. 'We have not issued any license for vape sale at any premises since 2013. Kelantan, along with Johor, are among the earliest states to take this stand,' he told reporters after the State Executive Council meeting at the Kota Darulnaim Complex, here today. Hilmi was responding to questions about the need to enforce the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which was passed in Parliament last year. According to him, the removal of nicotine from the First Schedule of Poisons under the Poisons Act 1952 means that vape can now be sold legally, as long as no specific regulations are enforced. 'With nicotine no longer listed under the Poisons Act, vape sales are now open due to the lack of a main regulatory body. Until Act 852 is fully enforced, gaps in regulatory control will persist,' he said. Meanwhile, Hilmi said the local authorities in Kelantan have continued to carry out regular enforcement operations to curb unlicenced vape sales. 'In 2024, a total of 40 operations were conducted, with 67 seizures. Between January and March 2025, 10 operations were conducted and 16 seizures were recorded,' he said. He stressed that repeat offenders risk strict action, including business licence revocation and permanent closure. Hilmi also acknowledged ongoing challenges in addressing illegal sales, especially through online platforms that fall outside local jurisdiction. 'Our enforcement authority is limited to the local level. Online sales are difficult to control because the federal government still permits open vape sales. This continues to allow unauthorised distribution,' he added.

Barnama
3 days ago
- Barnama
Kelantan Maintains Vape Sale Ban, No Licences Issued Since 2013
KOTA BHARU, June 18 (Bernama) -- The Kelantan government has reiterated its policy of not allowing the sale of vape products in the state, having not issued any business licences for such sales since 2013. State Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment Committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said the move was not intended to ban individual use, but to control access to vape products, particularly among teenagers and students. 'We have not issued any license for vape sale at any premises since 2013. Kelantan, along with Johor, are among the earliest states to take this stand,' he told reporters after the State Executive Council meeting at the Kota Darulnaim Complex, here today. Hilmi was responding to questions about the need to enforce the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which was passed in Parliament last year. According to him, the removal of nicotine from the First Schedule of Poisons under the Poisons Act 1952 means that vape can now be sold legally, as long as no specific regulations are enforced. 'With nicotine no longer listed under the Poisons Act, vape sales are now open due to the lack of a main regulatory body. Until Act 852 is fully enforced, gaps in regulatory control will persist,' he said. Meanwhile, Hilmi said the local authorities in Kelantan have continued to carry out regular enforcement operations to curb unlicenced vape sales. 'In 2024, a total of 40 operations were conducted, with 67 seizures. Between January and March 2025, 10 operations were conducted and 16 seizures were recorded,' he said. He stressed that repeat offenders risk strict action, including business licence revocation and permanent closure.


The Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Vape ban: Perak to make decision after thorough study
IPOH: The Perak government is currently conducting a comprehensive review on the need to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes (vapes) in the state. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the matter was recently raised in the State Executive Council (MMK) meeting, but there are issues that need to be examined in greater depth. According to him, the matter has also been entrusted to State Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan for further scrutiny. 'I have spoken to him (Sivanesan) about the issue, as it requires an in-depth study from a health perspective, but there are also several other aspects that must be considered. 'In addition, we have also received a request from the vape traders' association for a meeting, so there are matters we need to review before making any decision,' he said at a press conference after launching the Perak Digital Economy Action Plan 2030 and Perak Smart Cities Blueprint 2040 here today. Also present were State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching and State Communication, Multimedia and NGOs Committee chairman Mohd Azlan Helmi Helmi. Saarani said the study is expected to be presented at the upcoming MMK meeting and will cover all aspects, including health and the impact on vape traders and other stakeholders. Previously, Saarani had stated that any decision on banning vape sales was expected to be made at the MMK meeting on May 28.


New Straits Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Vape ban Perak to make decision after thorough study
IPOH: The Perak government is currently conducting a comprehensive review on the need to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes (vapes) in the state. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the matter was recently raised in the State Executive Council (MMK) meeting, but there are issues that need to be examined in greater depth. He said the matter has also been entrusted to State Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan for further scrutiny. "I have spoken to him (Sivanesan) about the issue, as it requires an in-depth study from a health perspective, but there are also several other aspects that must be considered. "In addition, we have also received a request from the vape traders' association for a meeting, so there are matters we need to review before making any decision," he said at a press conference after launching the Perak Digital Economy Action Plan 2030 and Perak Smart Cities Blueprint 2040 here today. Also present were State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching and State Communication, Multimedia and NGOs Committee chairman Mohd Azlan Helmi Helmi. Saarani said the study is expected to be presented at the upcoming MMK meeting and will cover all aspects, including health and the impact on vape traders and other stakeholders. He had previously said that any decision on banning vape sales was expected to be made at the MMK meeting on May 28. – Bernama

Malay Mail
28-04-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Loke urges Negeri Sembilan to fast-track planning approval for AI-driven port in PD
SEREMBAN, April 28 — The Negeri Sembilan government, particularly the local authority concerned, has been urged to expedite the processing of the Planning Approval application for the construction of an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven container port in Port Dickson (PD). Anthony Loke (PH-Chennah) said the project is a crucial catalyst for the development of Negeri Sembilan, particularly in advancing the Malaysia Vision Valley (MVV) 2.0 initiative, and in strengthening the state's industrial sector. 'I have been informed that the investment for the project from a private company has been secured and the funding to build the port is already available. Therefore, I hope the State Executive Council and the Port Dickson Municipal Council, will give serious attention to the development of this project. 'I jokingly told the Prime Minister that Port Dickson has the word 'Port' in its name but there is no actual port, only a jetty. We hope this container port will be realised, as it will be the first container port development within the state's maritime boundary,' he said when debating the motion of thanks for the Royal Address at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today. Loke, who is also Transport Minister and Seremban MP, further expressed hope that the state government would prioritise approval of semiconductor investments under the MVV 2.0 project, to ensure the sector continues to grow, especially given the current high demand for semiconductors. He added that Negeri Sembilan could also seize the opportunity to develop an industrial park through the collaboration under the 'Two Countries, Twin Parks' project between China and Malaysia, for which a memorandum of understanding was recently signed. Meanwhile, Datuk Saiful Yazan Sulaiman (BN-Johol) proposed the establishment of a special state investment team to explore alternative markets such as the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa, while enhancing facilities for investors in green technology and automation in line with the digitalisation agenda. He also suggested that government-linked companies should become more aggressive in driving the state's economy, rather than relying solely on conventional business models, as the world is rapidly moving towards AI and data-driven economies. Opposition Leader Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker (PN–Labu) voiced concern over the rising use of vape among the younger generation in the state, viewing it as a serious threat to public health. Tensions rose briefly when Mohamad Hanifah questioned the allocation of only 20 minutes for his debate speech, compared to other states where opposition leaders are given up to 45 minutes. Following this, Negeri Sembilan State Assembly Speaker Datuk MK Ibrahim Abd Rahman reprimanded Mohamad Hanifah and clarified that the speaking time allotted was the same for all State Assembly members (ADUNs). — Bernama