Good morning. Here's what you should know today.

Key Highlights

  • Ban on vape for kids delayed, again

  • Sabah land deal scandal

  • National Service returns

Ban on vape for kids delayed, again

A bill which would have reinstated a ban on kids buying vapes - including those containing nicotine - has been delayed, again.

In March, the government removed nicotine from the list of controlled substances under the Poisons Act.

This effectively allowed vapes containing nicotine to be sold to children, legally.

The controls were supposed to be reintroduced in the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill.

However, when the bill was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat for a first reading in June, progress was stalled after the Health Ministry sent the legislation for review by the Parliament Special Select Committee on Health.

With the PSSC having concluded its review - with some tweaks in mind - the second reading and debate was supposed to take place on Tuesday.

However, the second reading has been postponed to an unspecified date - ostensibly to make way for other legislation.

HIGHLIGHTS

'Vape' fiasco: Opposition MPs want action against PM's photographer
Minister: School toilet funds closely monitored for 'leaks'
Sabahan holds solo protest against 'cruel' citizenship amendments

Sabah land deal scandal

Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor is facing abuse of power accusations over a land deal in Kudat.

A social media post, including purportedly leaked documents, alleged improprieties in the approval of six land applications involving almost 970 hectares of land on Pulau Balambangan.

Hajiji has denied wrongdoing and said everything was done above board.

However, state lawmakers are lodging reports with the police and MACC calling for a probe into the matter.

HIGHLIGHTS

Ex-deputy minister questions direct award of 5G deal to Huawei
Fahmi: Second 5G network contract not awarded to anyone yet
Anwar to meet Geely tomorrow on US$10b investment to dispel rumours

National Service returns

The government has agreed to bring back the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) which was stopped in 2018.

Defence Minister Mohamad Hasan said the programme now has a different training scheme and costs significantly less.

Previous iterations of PLKN cost RM500 million a year.

The new programme will cost just RM100 million a year, Mohamad said.

HIGHLIGHTS

Govt guarantees RM2b loan for LTAT over Boustead Plantation deal
Minister denies PAC claim LCS deal signed without consulting AGC
Five LCS will only be ready in 2029, says accounts committee

Views that matter

Why capital gains tax is good for the country
By P Gunasegaram
Views on gymnast attire shows patriarchal values
By Syerleena Abdul Rashid
Indians, be independent, not rely on another party
By S Thayaparan

Other news that matter

  • The police probe on former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng will focus on recovering assets linked to the 1MDB scandal.

  • Najib Abdul Razak’s defence team attempted to discredit the testimony of a Bank Negara money trail analyst in the 1MDB case.

    However, the witness stood by his testimony, which detailed how 1MDB funds allegedly ended up in Najib’s bank account.

  • Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hinted that Jakim preachers could be getting a pay raise in the upcoming Budget 2024.

  • Disgruntled Umno supreme council leader Isham Jalil is taking up Zahid on his challenge to a debate - on condition that it be held on neutral ground.

HIGHLIGHTS

M'sia pursuing de-dollarisation, trading in ringgit: PM
Nation’s finances stable despite higher debt, says auditor-general
S'pore minister meets PAS, collaboration in PN states discussed