10/07/2025

THURSDAY | JULY 10, 2025

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Delay in nationwide ban on vape slammed

1,028 MyKiosk units operating in Selangor

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Selangor has 1,028 MyKiosk units operating throughout the state, with a construction cost of RM20.33 million. State Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said the highest number of MyKiosk units in Selangor is in Taman Medan, a constituency represented by an opposition assemblyman. Ng said Taman Medan has 123 MyKiosk units under the supervision of the Petaling Jaya City Council, adding that the majority of the cost to build MyKiosk units in the state was borne by the Housing and Local Government Ministry, while local authorities covered the remainder. “The ministry forked out RM19,508,520.06 and the local authorities funded RM822,211 for site preparation works, depending on the needs and physical conditions of the locations. “On average, the construction cost for one MyKiosk unit is RM19,785.80, which includes structural costs and site preparation according to the suitability of the location,” Ng said during the state assembly in Shah Alam. He was replying to Dr Afif Bahardin (PN–Taman Medan) on Selangor’s local council policy for the MyKiosk programme, including the number of kiosks allocated by constituency and total spending by the state and local authorities on their installation. Afif followed up with supplementary questions on kiosk placement locations and the security deposit required for operators to rent a MyKiosk unit. In response, Ng said local councils had been instructed to relocate kiosks from slow business areas to better locations, as the units are easily movable. “Yang Berhormat (Afif), councillors and community leaders can submit suggestions to me and also to the local councils to monitor and relocate the kiosks to other locations.” On the security deposit, Ng said he would have discussions with local councils on the possibility of revising the amount to boost MyKiosk occupancy rates across Selangor. He explained that the deposit is meant to ensure operators are serious about their business and to prevent misuse or vandalism of the kiosks. 8,322 vehicles recalled for inspection PUTRAJAYA: The Road Transport Department (RTD) has recalled 8,322 Kia, Yamaha and Mercedes-Benz vehicles for inspection following defects to the structure, equipment or systems. Its director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli said the Kia vehicles involved in the recall were 5,123 units of the Rio UB 2010 to 2017 model, suspected to have shortcircuit risk that could cause its hydraulic electronic control unit to catch fire. A total of 1,649 units of Yamaha MT09 and 1,369 units of Tracer 9 GT from November 2021 to February 2025 are being recalled for improper functioning of throttle position sensors, while 149 units of the Yamaha Tenere 700 model from 2023 to 2024 are being recalled for clutch problems. A total of 32 Mercedes-Benz cars, model S 580 e, GLC 300 4MATIC, EQS 500, AMG SL 43, EQE 53 and EQS 53 from 2023 and 2025 are being recalled for improperly installed fuse boxes. “The recall is important to avoid crashes due to defects,”he said, adding that owners would be contacted by the respective companies. “For further details, owners may contact or visit any sales and service centre.” Aedy Fadly also said all components affected will be replaced, with the costs borne by the manufacturer. – Bernama

o State govts need to take decisive action as increasing use of e-cigarettes destroying future of youths: CAP

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

GEORGE Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has renewed its call for an immediate nationwide ban on the sale and use of vape and e-cigarettes, as the issue is already “out of control”. CAP said some state governments are still in talks with industry players and these engagements delay action, jeopardise public health and could have devastating consequences for Malaysian youths. “How long will it take to consider banning vape? States that have not yet issued a ban for these products must be responsible if there are death cases, or pay for treatment due to vape use,” CAP senior education officer and anti-smoking activist N.V. Subbarow said in a statement. He described as alarming Perak’s decision to consider consultations with vape industry stakeholders before deciding on a ban. On June 4, the Perak government said it would meet electronic cigarette or vape industry players before making any decision on the proposed ban on the sale of such products in the state. However on June 22, Perak announced it would target a vape sales ban in October, pending final approval by the State Executive Council. Subsequently on July 5, Perak Health and Human Resources Committee chairman A. Sivanesan made a U-turn on the matter and confirmed that the state would consult e-cigarette and vape industry players before deciding on a ban. A comprehensive study, led by state health director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha is expected to be concluded by next month. “If there are 50 workers, that’s 50 families at stake,” Sivanesan was quoted by Bernama as saying, while highlighting the need to consider economic and employment impact. Subbarow said he did not understand why a few state governments were still discussing TOWN: The

Subbarow said increasing use of vape among teenagers is a national crisis and warned that many are unknowingly being introduced to drug-laced vape liquids. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

resulting in longer wait times for non-emergency patients (Green Zone). To address this, the hospital has agreed to a phased deployment of locum doctors. Currently, only one doctor is assigned nightly from 8pm to midnight. A similar arrangement is also being planned for Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Bahru. Ling said the presence of on-call locum doctors has already helped expedite treatment for Green Zone patients, who typically face extended waiting times. The Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail has urged the federal government to urgently fill vacancies in the healthcare sector to resolve the severe congestion affecting several major hospitals in the state. – Bernama continue giving unreasonable reasons and delay action to ban vape and e-cigarettes, the number of students and individuals addicted to nicotine-laced vape drug liquid will triple by 2030,” he said. “Each of the state governments knew this, but they are pretending not to know anything. There is no need for new committees or studies on the issue, as the statistics are there. “The state governments must take decisive action,” Subbarow said. CAP praised the Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who recently voiced full support for a total ban on vaping in Malaysia. His Majesty described vaping as a threat to public health and called for stricter enforcement to address both nicotine and drug addiction among youths. “Vaping should be banned completely. We must not be lenient, it will only cause further harm to our people,“ His Majesty was quoted as saying. He also pointed out that there is no point in having various laws and harsh punishments for drug offences if enforcement remains weak, allowing drugs to be easily obtained in the country. CAP said it would be writing official letters to all state rulers, urging them to instruct their respective governments to impose an immediate ban on vape and e-cigarettes.

the ban on vape and e-cigarettes with vape industry representatives. “It doesn’t make any sense. It’s a waste of time and playing with the lives of children.” Subbarow said increasing use of vape among teenagers, including young girls, is a national crisis and warned that many are unknowingly being introduced to drug-laced vape liquids. “Vape and e-cigarettes are destroying the future of the young generation. It has been proven. “The trend has evolved from fruit-flavoured nicotine liquids to dangerous concoctions laced with stimulants or even narcotics, marketed under names such as ‘zombie’ or ‘magic mushroom’ flavours. “This is a new culture throughout the world. More vape liquids now contain dangerous drugs. “These products should be banned to prevent more people from becoming addicted to these synthetic drugs. “These drug-laced vape flavours are turning many young Malaysians into new drug addicts,” he said. The association also pointed to recent figures from the Health Ministry showing a sharp rise in adolescent vaping, from 211,084 in 2017 to 301,109 in 2022, involving those aged 13 to 15. “If the ministry or state governments

Locum doctors deployed to ease shortage JOHOR BAHRU: The deployment of locum doctors at the Emergency Department of Sultan Ismail Hospital started on Tuesday night as part of the state government’s immediate efforts to alleviate staffing shortage and ease the burden of high patient volume. he said in a statement. He added that the state government encourages more qualified and experienced doctors in emergency care to participate in the initiative as their presence could enhance service delivery and help save more lives.

Ling said a surprise inspection found that the Sultan Ismail Hospital Red Zone, designed to accommodate six beds, was treating up to 12 patients, putting additional pressure on healthcare staff. He added that the hospital’s Emergency Department is among the busiest in Johor, receiving an average of over 300 patients daily due to its proximity to densely populated residential and industrial areas. He said priority is given to critical (Red Zone) and serious (Yellow Zone) cases,

Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the move is a short-term measure in response to manpower constraints affecting the efficiency of emergency services, particularly at major hospitals across the state. “We are aware of the heavy workload borne by healthcare personnel, especially in Emergency Departments. The appointment of locum doctors is an urgent step by the state government to help accelerate treatment processes and reduce patient waiting times,”