The Health Ministry tabled the Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) Bill 2012 which requires all practitioners in the field to be registered with the proposed Traditional and Complementary Medicine Council.   

Failure to register would incur a fine of up to RM30,000 or imprisonment up to two years or both, upon conviction, with increased penalties for repeat offenders.   

Health deputy minister Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin tabled the Bill for its first reading at the Dewan Rakyat today.  

The Council's objective is to supervise TCM services in the country, which includes setting the qualifications required for the field.    

It is to be chaired by the Health director-general and include representatives from the ministry, local university medical consultants and public sector registered practitioners.  

The council would be empowered to order practitioners with unsafe methods or who fail to adhere to related directives to cease operations.  

TCM includes traditional Malay, Chinese, Indian, homeopathy and complementary therapies. -  

- Bernama