In a statement, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said the decision not to table the bill was “unacceptable”.

“We were initially hopeful about the government’s commitment to pass this crucial bill but recent decisions, like removing liquid and gel nicotine from the Poisons Act earlier this year and the current postponement, have seriously eroded our confidence in their dedication to this legislation,” its president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said.

The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023, better known as the Generational End Game (GEG) bill, had been due to be tabled for its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.

However, doubts have been raised after the health ministry postponed a briefing for MPs.

The health ministry has also postponed a media briefing on the bill scheduled for this afternoon in Parliament. No reasons were given for the postponement.

While a source close to the matter told FMT that the tabling of the bill had been postponed, the health ministry had yet to confirm it.

The bill seeks to ban the use, purchase and sale of cigarettes and vape products to those born after 2007.