Comparing Malaysia’s bill to that of New Zealand’s, Yeo pointed out that MPs there had been given four months to debate proposed amendments to their law, while those in Malaysia were expected to decide in less than a week.
In a statement, she questioned whether this was achievable considering Malaysia’s much weaker enforcement capabilities.
“The bill provides wide-ranging powers to enforcement officers, whereas in New Zealand, enforcement officers only have the power to enter non-residential premises for investigations, while other enforcement actions will require a warrant,” she said.
Last week, health minister Khairy Jamaluddin tabled the Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill, which seeks to prohibit the sale of cigarettes, tobacco and vape products to anyone born after 2007.
The bill proposes a fine for offenders and also empowers enforcement officers to act without warrants to open any baggage or container and examine tobacco or substitute tobacco products and smoking devices.
Yeo also said no regulatory impact assessment report had been made available for MPs to adequately consider the bill and its impact on society.
“I do not have definite answers to most of my questions and would like to listen to the views of other stakeholders. I believe most MPs would agree too,” the former energy, technology, science, climate change and environment minister said.
She hoped that the bill would be sent to the parliamentary select committees on health, science and innovation; women, children and social development; as well as fundamental liberty and constitutional rights for further deliberation.
Meanwhile, the Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors’ General Association (MSCGPA) said the GEG bill would kill their businesses and force consumers to smoke illegal cigarettes.
“MSCGPA urges the health ministry to reconsider the bill as it criminalises consumers of legal age,” it said in a statement.
It said the government should continue nationwide education campaigns on cigarettes to create awareness among the younger generation instead.