As Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar is adamant to go ahead with a state-wide ban on the sale of vape products, an NGO has urged Johor Menteri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin to step in.

Pertubuhan Ikatan Usahawan Kecil dan Sederhana Malaysia (Ikhlas) president Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah said that while he respects the sultan's decree, the menteri besar has a duty to advise the sultan.

Among others, he urged the Khaled to remind the sultan that the vape traders are his subjects too, and he (Khaled) is the one who would need to face the people in the elections.

“ The sultan can listen (to advice). If the sultan is thinking of the rakyat's interests, traders are rakyat too, so let him listen.

“ As a menteri besar, you have to give suggestions, advice and views to the sultan. The sultan can accept it […] in the future, the one contesting is (Khaled). The menteri besar is the one contesting. The rakyat is the one voting,” he said when met by reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex.

Asked what he would like Khaled to convey to the sultan, Ridzuan said he should forward the views of the vape industry regarding the crackdown against it.

“ Now what is being conveyed to the sultan is all negative. The sultan himself has mentioned receiving e-mails, but those are the views of some people who may not smoke or vape.

“ But we need to take into consideration the views of the traders as well,” he said.

Late last month, Sultan Ibrahim reportedly decreed that he wants vape businesses in the state to stop operations by Jan 1 next year.

“ I want the outlets to close down by Jan 1, 2016 and I do not want to hear any excuses.

“ This is a question of health and its effects on young people. It has nothing to do with businesses and for sure, it has nothing to do with race.

“ I am greatly disappointed that some people are bringing up racial threats and political threats,” he reportedly told The Star .

Ban to go ahead

In another report published by the daily yesterday, the sultan supposedly warned ' mindless politicians ' not to politicise the issue.

In particular, he made reference to Ikhlas' claim that BN stands to lose a million votes over the crackdown on vaping.

“ They (federal and state authorities) 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 interests would be affected.

“ It is purely a health issue and some mindless politicians are talking about politics and race [...] it’s incredible,” he was quoted as saying.

The sultan added that he has received wide support for his decree against vape and questioned whether those who oppose the ban care about the people's health.

The Johor state executive council had acted on the Sultan's decree by implementing the ban starting next year.