Ministry officials trying to monopolise vape industry, says group

President of an entrepreneurs group, Ikhlas, Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah says there are civil servants who have plans to monopolise the lucrative vape industry. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, December 21, 2015.

An entrepreneurs group defending the embattled vape industry today alleged that there were attempts of “sabotage” by people in the Health Ministry against traders in the fledgling but lucrative industry.

Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, president of a small and medium entrepreneurs group, Ikhlas, alleged that there were civil servants who had a plan to monopolise the sale of vape by first imposing restrictions so that vape products would eventually only be sold by approved companies.

He claimed that two factories were currently being built in Johor and in Shah Alam, Selangor, and these would eventually “control” the local vape industry.

“Ikhlas has recently identified civil servants in the health ministry who are involved in the vape issue where they are trying to find ways to sabotage vape entrepreneurs and the local industry.

“Their agenda includes building factories with a plan to try to wipe out local traders so that the ministry will enforce new laws and enact regulations whereby only these big companies will be allowed to sell vape,” Ridzuan said at a press conference in Petaling Jaya today.

Ridzuan also said that there were politicians involved in setting up new vape factories.

He said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam should explain the true situation immediately.

“We want him to answer. He has been quiet on the matter for some time and we want to know what is really happening. Is this how they treat Malay youths who have succeeded in the vape industry?”

Ridzuan also said Ikhlas would be bringing the matter to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

He has in the past warned the government against cracking down on the vape industry, claiming it would cost the ruling Barisan Nasional votes in the next election, and has threatened to file court injunctions against the Kelantan and Johor authorities to stop enforcement against vape traders.

- TMI