PUTRAJAYA, Dec 12 — Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin today expressed hope that new Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa will follow through with the Health White Paper which he worked on before the Parliament was dissolved last October.
He said this was among the matters he raised with Dr Zaliha.
“I hope the Health White Paper can be followed through and be tabled in Parliament.
“I have raised that in my discussion with the health minister.
“This is because this white paper is important for our public health system reforms in the long term, and the white paper is not the result of my work but the result of work put in by experts who were involved in the discussion and also in the engagement sessions that have already been conducted,” Khairy told reporters after his meet with Dr Zaliha for an official hand over of his responsibilities.
Khairy said the important thing is that the Health White Paper will be tabled and discussed in Parliament to get the approval of all MPs.
“So it is not a process made by a former minister, but a process made by everyone.
“This white paper is important because if we don’t have changes in the public health system, then we won’t have enough resources to cover the burden of diseases for the coming years.
“Especially from the aspect of human resource, in terms of infrastructure, in terms of facilities and allocation. I have informed the minister, whatever I can help, Insyallah I will help her,” he said.
The Health White Paper was expected to be tabled in Parliament in November, however, the Parliament was dissolved to make way for the 15th general election (GE15).
When asked about the generational end game (GEG) Bill, Khairy responded similarly, saying that he hopes to see the law be tabled again and passed.
“That is also something I raised with the health minister earlier.
“What’s important is that the Bill has already gone through the amendment process at the Special Select Committee level, which involves all parties.
“Even though it’s the old Parliament, but there are same MPs this coming session including the deputy minister Lukanisman (Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni) who is still part of the Special Select Committee,” he said.
On July 27, the Bill was tabled for the first reading at the Dewan Rakyat by Khairy with aim of creating a smoke-free generation starting with those born after January 1, 2007.
It was however referred to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) for further consideration after MPs voiced their complaints and suggestions about it.
Among other concerns raised included it being unconstitutional as it meant that the youths would have no freedom of choice over smoking.
Under the Bill, those born after January 1, 2007, and onwards will not be allowed to buy or use any form of smoking-related products, including electronic cigarettes or vaping devices with the aim to ban the future generation from smoking and vaping.
The revised law was supposed to be re-tabled, but this did not happen due to GE15.
This meant that the Bill would have to be tabled again in the Dewan Rakyat by the newly-formed government.
“The amendment reflects all the views of all parties and I hope it can be tabled again.
“Because it is a new Dewan Rakyat, it must go through another round of discussion and engagement session, no problem with this, as long as it is tabled and passed, God-willing,” said Khairy.
