Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on health will first submit its report on the bill to the health ministry after conducting engagements with the relevant stakeholders.

“From there, the Cabinet will deliberate on when they want to table it. We are looking at tabling it as soon as possible,” he said at the launch of Doctor Anywhere, an application that allows patients to connect with mental health professionals.

The proposed law seeks to ban the use, purchase and sale of cigarettes and vape products to those born after 2007.

Last week, health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa told the Dewan Rakyat the bill had been referred to the health PSC again, with some stakeholders saying some matters under the bill needed further review.

This is the second time that the bill has been referred to a PSC, after it was first tabled by then health minister Khairy Jamaluddin last year.

Yii maintained that proper tobacco control and regulation was needed and that the GEG bill will require the buy-in of all stakeholders, including industry players and those who will be affected.

“For good public health policy to be implemented, we need their confidence and buy-in. As much as I prefer it to be passed in Parliament at a faster rate, I also recognise the importance that all stakeholders buy-in to the idea,” he said.

He said stakeholders had raised concerns regarding the potential legal ramifications of enforcing the GEG bill, which will be discussed in engagements with the health PSC.

“The health ministry is more than open to explain the mechanisms of implementation and framework for enforcement,” he said.