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News Wrap-up: Of addressing smoking in public and mental health issues

Oct 15, 2018

Special smoking rooms at restaurants?

Image source: Bernama

The Health Ministry will hold talks with operators of F&B outlets, before deciding on whether to have special smoking rooms at these establishments, once smoking is banned in all restaurants from January 1st. 

Deputy Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye, however, says the ministry does not encourage having such smoking spaces, because priority should be given to the health of the people.  

Separately, Dr Lee also touched on the case where two people died and dozens others fell ill, apparently after eating laksa in Baling, Kedah.

He says results of the analysis of food samples from the stall will be known by tomorrow.

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Lim Guan Eng criticises DAP leaders for accepting state 'Datukships', saying it's not the DAP way

Several DAP leaders have been told off for accepting Datukships from state rulers, as it does not reflect the party's principles. 

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng says accepting such titles within a year of being elected as the government, can cause the public to have the wrong perception about the party.

Guan Eng adds that he means no disrespect to the state governments, but feels that elected reps should focus on serving the people first, not on obtaining titles.

It comes after four DAP members, two each in Melaka and Sabah, recieved awards that carried the title of Datuk this past week.

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Syed Saddiq says more needs to be done to address mental health issues among youth

One in 10 Malaysian youths has contemplated suicide. 

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman adds that based on a 2017 study, one out of five youths also suffer from depression.

He says this is a sign of the seriousness of the mental issues that young people face, which is why its important that parents, schools and universities do more to address the issue.

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Azmin Ali says he's in the lead in PKR Deputy President race

Incumbent PKR Deputy President Datuk Seri Azmin Ali claims to have won six out of the nine divisions, in the first leg of the party elections in Selangor.

The other three divisions went for Azmin's opponent, Rafizi Ramli.

It means Rafizi, who is currently a vice-president, holds a slim majority of just 48 votes over Azmin, based on results from the other states that have already completed their elections.

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Death penalty replaced

De-facto Law Minister Datuk Liew Vui Keong says the death penalty will be replaced with a minimum 30-year jail sentence.

This, after the Cabinet recently agreed to repeal the death sentence, with the bill to be tabled in Parliament soon.