The Malaysian Medical Association has sounded a warning about possible “unchecked enforcement power” contained in proposed amendments to the Poisons Act which are now before the Dewan Rakyat.
MMA president Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said the government should suspend further readings of the bill, which was tabled on Tuesday, because of vague provisions and a lack of consultation with doctors.
“These are not peripheral changes. They affect the daily operations of thousands of practitioners nationwide,” he said in a statement tonight.
He said the bill contains broad and ambiguous clauses that could disrupt legitimate healthcare services and erode patient trust.
He singled out Clause 2, which includes all police officers as authorised officers, and the new Section 31A that allows the health minister to appoint “any person” without clearly defined qualifications.
“(These) raise serious concerns about unchecked enforcement power and the potential for disruption to licensed private healthcare facilities, including GP clinics, mobile services, and charity-based health initiatives,” he said.
Kalwinder also pointed to the expanded definition of “premises”, warning that it could result in medical facilities being grouped with non-healthcare or criminal operations.
“This risks not only operational disruption but also violations of patient confidentiality and trust,” he added.
Kalwinder said the law must clearly distinguish between enforcement against criminal activity and the regulation of clinical practice. Private healthcare facilities should remain under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and the health ministry.
