KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 ― Barisan Nasional (BN) will lose a million votes from the vaping community if the government continues to crack down on the industry, an organisation representing small and medium enterprises warned today.

Pertubuhan Ikatan Usahawan Kecil dan Sederhana Malaysia (Ikhlas) president Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah also called on Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak to intervene in the matter, following a series of raids on vape shops by the Health Ministry this week.

“We ask the government to ensure that the welfare of youngsters involved in the vape trade is cared for...why do you want to trouble them?” Mohd Ridzuan told reporters outside the Dang Wangi police station here after lodging a police report against the Health Ministry following the raids last Tuesday.

Malay Mail Online obtained a transcript of Mohd Ridzuan’s press conference.

“If this matter is not resolved, then the government will lose one million votes,” Mohd Ridzuan added.

He also claimed that the crackdown on the vape industry may be due to the losses faced by major cigarette manufacturers, since an increasing number of people are switching over to the non-tobacco alternative.

“Today, famous cigarette companies are facing huge losses and maybe they bribed the authorities to act against the vape industry,” he said, adding that he is also considering bringing the matter to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“The ministry should rightfully give say a 30 to 60-day grace period for the traders to obtain licenses or whatever necessary… should follow the standard operating procedures and not oppress the traders,” Mohd Ridzuan said, adding that a majority of vape traders are Malay youths.

In his police report today, Mohd Ridzuan also urged the police to investigate Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam for ordering the raids.

He also urged for action to be taken to address the losses faced by vape shop traders after the surprise raids.

The Health Ministry confiscated nicotine products in the raids on vape shops this week on the basis that vape shops are currently not licensed to sell any goods containing nicotine.

Earlier today, the ministry’s director-general Datuk Noor Hisham Abdullah announced that a special committee has been formed to study vaping issues.