Refer smoking bill to parliamentary select committee, says Anwar

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has suggested that the Control of Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill 2022 be referred to a parliamentary select committee (PSC). 

Anwar, who is Port Dickson MP, said the suggestion was forwarded in a letter to Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the leader of the Dewan Rakyat yesterday afternoon.

"I have also sent a motion under Standing Order 54(1) and 54(2) to the Dewan Rakyat speaker (Azhar Harun) about the matter," he said in a Facebook post. 

In his motion to Azhar, Anwar said the bill should be referred to the committee so that it can scrutinise and review issues regarding constitutional enforcement as well as matters related to the implementation of the control of tobacco products and smoking.

"The committee should comprise a number of MPs representing all parties, led by the health minister. 
 
"For the purposes stated above, the committee can invite any party, including MPs, legal and constitutional experts, NGOs and civil society, as well as other individuals to attend the sitting," he said.     

Meanwhile, during the debate session, two MPs agreed with Anwar’s suggestion that the bill be referred to the committee.

Dr Kelvin Yii (PH-Bandar Kuching), who is also the health, science and innovation special select committee chairman, said they agreed in principle with the bill but felt that the bill should be reviewed from angles other than public safety.

Nazri Aziz (BN-Padang Rengas) meanwhile said he agreed with the suggestion to refer the bill to the committee to fine-tune and consider other aspects before being passed.

The Control of Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill 2022 was tabled for a second reading by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

He is expected to wind up the debate for voting when the debate session continues today.