Johor ruler slams 'mindless politicians' over vape row
“Mindless politicians” should not politicise the vape issue, said Johor Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar.
He said this in reference to warnings by bumiputera NGO leaders who said BN would lose votes in the next election if it banned vaping.
“I was fed up of the various authorities at both the state and federal levels, which could not decide on what to do.
“They were dragging their feet and some politicians were making silly remarks such as vaping should not be banned because a million votes would be lost and the bumiputera interest would be affected.
“It is purely a health issue and some mindless politicians are talking about politics and race; it’s incredible,” the sultan told The Star when asked why he decided to ban vaping in Johor.
Ibrahim previously decreed that vaping would be banned in the state and ordered the closure of all vape shops in Johor effective Jan 1, 2016.
Wide support from parents
He said he has done his research, and is convinced of the negative health risks vaping may pose.
His decree, he said, has received wide support especially from parents, and is now being emulated in other states.
"So far, all those opposing are doing it from a business stand. Do you not care about people’s health?" Ibrahim asked.
Meanwhile on another matter, the sultan also questioned why the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) required a RM1 billion budget.
"I am curious to know - if it is true; why do they need a RM1 billion budget?
"Does it include allocations to all the states? During my next Conference of Rulers, I want them to show me their breakdown for expenses.
"I want to know if they are financing our religious schools here (in Johor)," he said.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki previously said Jakim needed more than RM1 billion for 2016, and not just the RM724.6 million allocated to it currently.
He said the large sum is needed if the department is to combat extremist ideologies such as the IS, liberalism, and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
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