[UPDATED] Khairy refers tobacco endgame bill to select committee for fine-tuning

KUALA LUMPUR – The Generational Endgame tobacco bill was referred to a parliamentary special select committee (PSSC) for further deliberation after being debated at the policy stage today. 

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (Rembau-BN), when concluding his winding-up speech on the bill, said this was necessary after taking into account the comments and debates from all lawmakers.

The PSSC will look into concerns raised over the enforcement methods in the bill, among other recommendations proposed by lawmakers and experts on improving the draft legislation, Khairy told the Dewan Rakyat.

He said the PSSC is expected to iron out improvements for the bill within a month, but the deadline can be extended as needed.

However, the fine-tuning of the bill cannot exceed the first day of the coming parliamentary sitting, which is scheduled to begin on October 26.

“I wouldn’t say it is delayed but it is referred (to the committee) so that when we table the bill, in good conscience, we can all agree,” he said.

Khairy will preside as the chairman of the PSSC.

Other members will include MPs on the government bench, namely, Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (Baling-BN), Datuk Mohd Nizar Zakaria (Parit-BN), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (Pengerang-BN), Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah-PN), Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PN) and Lukanisman Awang Sauni (Sibuti-GPS).

From the opposition, the committee members are Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen (Bandar Kuching-PH), Sivarasa Rasiah (Sg Buloh-PH), Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor-PH), Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau (Tuaran-PH), Datuk Darell Leiking (Penampang-Warisan) and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir (Jerlun-Pejuang). – The Vibes, August 2, 2022