31/07/2025

THURSDAY | JULY 31, 2025

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Review to be conducted over sedative in vape liquid

Federal, state govts collaborate to resolve border issues KUALA LUMPUR: The participation of Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at the 13th Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Consultation demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to involving state governments, particularly on border issues such as those related to the Sulawesi Sea. Foreign Deputy Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin told he Dewan Rakyat the participation of state governments and relevant agencies in the negotiation process reflects the federal government’s “whole of government” approach. “Discussions on maritime borders are based on legal and technical principles. The government always conducts detailed assessments of any proposed solution,”he said. He was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN Kinabatangan) on whether the Sabah government would be included in discussions on the Sulawesi Sea to safeguard the state’s interests and ensure economic opportunities for the people of Sabah. In reply to a supplementary question from Bung Moktar on the outcomes and impacts of these discussions, Mohamad said the talks cover not only maritime economic matters but also issues important to both Indonesia and Sabah. In reply to Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang) about Indonesian businessman Mohd Riza Chalid, who is under investigation for corruption related to PT Pertamina’s crude oil management between 2018 and 2023, Mohamad reiterated Malaysia’s stance that no individual would be protected in the legal process. “The key point is maintaining Malaysia’s integrity and strengthening our cooperation with Indonesia. The issue involving him is strictly a legal matter.” – Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 2,400 tonnes of humanitarian aid from Malaysia successfully entered Gaza on Tuesday via the King Hussein Bridge border crossing in Jordan. This marks the first cross-border delivery success by a Malaysian NGO since Israel closed all entry points to Palestine on March 2. Karisma Humanitarian Aid Mission (KHOM) director Nik Marina Hussin said the supplies, comprising food boxes and infant formula funded by public donations, were transported on four trucks that joined a 60 vehicle convoy coordinated by the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF), with support from the World Food Programme and World Central Kitchen. “The aid had been stored in Jordan since February due to the closure but was immediately handed to JAF once clearance was granted. We were informed that the convoy has now reached Gaza, with the aid among the first to reach starving residents,” she said in a statement. Nik Marina said the breakthrough followed confirmation from Jordanian authorities on July 26 that KHOM aid had been approved for entry, making it the first Malaysian NGO to deliver external aid to Gaza in almost six months. She thanked Jordan’s King Abdullah II for issuing a royal decree that enabled the mission, JAF, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation and other agencies for prioritising KHOM supplies in Jordan’s sixth aid mission to Gaza. “The political truce in Gaza announced by Israel remains fragile. Even before the war, Gaza needed no less than 1,000 truckloads of food.” Donations to KHOM can be made via its official website at www.khom.org.my. – Bernama Malaysian aid delivered to Gaza

In Singapore, authorities are moving to classify etomidate as a Class C substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act following concerns over its recreational use. Singapore Health Minister Ong Ye Kung recently said random testing on confiscated vape devices showed that roughly one-third of 100 samples contained etomidate. Dzulkefly also said the Health Ministry is continuing its review on the possibility of a national vape ban. “We are studying this seriously, but we will proceed based on evidence and legal considerations.” At the National Health Technology Assessment Conference, which also marked the 30th anniversary of the Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section, he announced plans to elevate the section to a full-fledged division. Dzulkefly cited how countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Thailand have formally institutionalised health technology assessment within their health systems. Several initiatives were also unveiled at the conference to deepen the use of evidence in health service delivery and policy.

o Detailed study aimed at establishing need to list hospital grade anaesthetic under Dangerous Drugs Act: Minister

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Dzulkefly said its work ensures that government health decisions are grounded in data, cost-effectiveness and long-term public health outcomes. “At the moment, etomidate is listed under the Second Part of the Poisons Act under Category B as ‘intravenous sedatives and anaesthesia’ used in clinical practice. “It is not an issue as it is already listed under the Poisons Act but not under the Dangerous Drugs Act,” he told a media conference after launching the National Health Technology Assessment Conference yesterday. The issue of etomidate misuse gained attention after Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii (PH-DAP) urged the government in Parliament on July 28 to classify the substance under both the Poisons Act and the Dangerous Drugs Act. Yii said the K-pods brand, often laced with etomidate, appears to be targeted at young consumers.

PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry will carry out a detailed review before deciding whether to reclassify etomidate as a dangerous drug, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. Acknowledging recent calls to tighten control over the hospital-grade sedative following its reported misuse in illicit vape products, he said any move to list it under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 must be guided by evidence and not made in haste. He said the Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section would be central to the process. He added that the section plays a key role in supporting evidence-based policymaking through health technology assessments, clinical practice guidelines, economic evaluations and horizon scanning.

Dzulkefly being greeted by participants at the conference held in Putrajaya yesterday. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Strategic plan to drive growth in northern border area

Ű BY HASHINI KAVISHTRI KANNAN newdesk@thesundaily.com

opportunities in sectors such as halal industries, rubber processing, logistics and tourism. He said while there is growing interest in formalising border-based economic activity, no specific plans are currently in place to establish a “Special Economic Zone” or “Financial Free Zone” along the Malaysia-Thai border. “We are open to exploring such proposals in the future should the need arise and if it promises mutual benefit.” He said a feasibility study is currently being conducted to assess the potential of Kedah for a dedicated economic zone, including evaluation of investment prospects, infrastructure integration and social linkages with southern Thailand.

sectors, namely advanced services, high-value manufacturing and modern agriculture, to support balanced regional development. “These efforts reflect our commitment to nurturing local talent, spurring technological innovation and attracting quality private investments,” he said in a written parliamentary reply to Padang Terap MP Nurul Amin Hamid. He said several initiatives are already underway to stimulate economic activity in northern Kedah, including the Kedah Science and Technology Park in Bukit Kayu Hitam and the Kedah Rubber City in Padang Terap. Amir Hamzah said Malaysia is also leveraging on regional cooperation under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle to explore cross-border economic

PUTRAJAYA: The federal government is targeting RM367.8 billion in investments and over 412,000 job opportunities through the Strategic Development Plan for the Northern Corridor Economic Region 2024-2030, said Economy Acting Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. He said the plan, to be carried out by the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), aims to drive economic growth in the northern border region, particularly at the Bukit Kayu Hitam and Padang Terap districts in Kedah. Amir Hamzah said it focuses on three key