KUALA LUMPUR: It was uncalled for ex-Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin to blame other ministers over the alleged shortcomings in the generational endgame (GEG) bill.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said it looks like Khairy could not accept the decision that the proposed GEG bill was unconstitutional and unenforceable.
Tiong raised questions about the potential repercussions of hastily implementing the said bill.
"If this matter is done in haste and ends up with all sorts of weaknesses, criticisms and a surge in public complaints, who should we blame?"
"If others including New Zealand could not roll out similar measures, why must we rush (in implementing it) and not consider a more harmonious approach starting with education and creating awareness."
He also said the proposed GEG bill which Khairy had proposed was lack in a strong foundation to be defended.
"What is more important, it is inappropriate for you to blame other ministers just to vent your frustration."
It was reported that Attorney-General Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh had deemed a provision in the bill to be "unconstitutional".
Terrirudin said the provision to ban those born after 2007 from buying and consuming tobacco and vape products violated Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees equality.
Tiong further criticised Khairy's tenure as Health Minister, asserting that Khairy has not convincingly demonstrated the direct correlation between cancer and smoking habits.
Tiong challenges the lack of substantial steps, such as the establishment of research centres, to analyse and investigate detailed data on cancer patients in the country.
