Noor Hisham said the health ministry stressed that the buying and selling of organs is a form of exploitation of vulnerable groups and a violation of medical ethics.

“Any such claim must be taken seriously by all parties. If such activity involves human trafficking for the purpose of buying and selling organs, it must be investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007,” he said in a statement.

He said the commercialisation of organ transplants is prohibited under The Declaration of Istanbul on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism (2008).

“The ministry does not support any individuals or organisations involved in procuring organs illegally and unethically. We will give full cooperation to the authorities for investigations,” he said.

He urged anyone with information of such activities to come forward to the ministry or the police, adding that the authorities have the power to take action against those involved in organ trafficking.

On Monday, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal claimed that there are people selling their kidneys to make ends meet. He was highlighting the state of the people’s finances and how another round of EPF withdrawal is needed.

“If targeted (EPF) withdrawals are not approved, what is the government’s suggestion to help the people who are struggling, to the point that some had to sell their kidneys, or walk from Johor to Istana Negara?” he said, according to Malaysiakini.

The Bersatu Youth chief said this at a press conference after Perikatan Nasional MPs staged a walkout from the Dewan Rakyat as their demands for a debate on a targeted EPF withdrawal scheme were unsuccessful.