Vape factory to be built despite objections
The forensic team has yet to determine the cause of the fire.
Petaling Jaya city councillor Derek Fernandez said the council only inspected new plans related to renovations and looked at KUALA LUMPUR: Despite strong opposition from the Health Ministry and anti-tobacco advocates against e-cigarettes and vaporisers, Malaysia will soon house a vape factory.
The Kilang Vape of Malaysia, which is located in Nilai Utama Enterprise Park, Negri Sembilan, was supposed to be launched on May 12.
Initially, the Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Henry Sum Agong was scheduled to launch the factory.
But the ministry has since decided against it after heeding calls from non-governmental organisations and medical experts.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, in addressing the issue yesterday, acknowledged that he had received objections original plans when a demolition was planned.
“As all house renovation or remodelling plans must be signed by consultants who are architects, engineers or second-class draftsmen, these individuals are from several groups regarding the opening of the factory.
“He (the deputy minister) did not launch the factory.
“He did not attend the ceremony. We received objections against (Henry) launching the factory and decided not to do so,” Hamzah said after attending the National Cooperative Consultative Council Meeting 2017 here yesterday.
On the factory operation in Malaysia, despite calls to regulate the vape industry here, Hamzah said “that is a business opportunity”.
“We have laws and as per our regulations, one needs to have a licence to operate in Malaysia. And they (the factory operators) have the licence.” responsible to tell the owner.
“If they chose to illegally renovate via their own contractor and not submit plans to the council’s Urban Planning Department, then it’s on them,” he added.