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Former Malaysian Health Minister Allegedly Rejected RM50 Million Bribe Over GEG

Dec.23.2025
Former Malaysian Health Minister Allegedly Rejected RM50 Million Bribe Over GEG
A former political aide has alleged that a RM50 million bribe was offered to Malaysia’s then health minister to abandon the tobacco generational end game (GEG) policy. The claim was published in an opinion article and on social media. No report was made to anti-corruption authorities. Despite the alleged rejection, the GEG provision was later removed from the tobacco bill tabled in Parliament in 2023.

Key Points

 

  • A political aide alleged a RM50 million bribe offer linked to Malaysia’s tobacco GEG policy;
  • The offer was allegedly rejected by then health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa;
  • No report was filed with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission or police;
  • The GEG clause was later removed from the tobacco bill tabled in November 2023;
  • Current law bans the sale of cigarettes and vapes only to those under 18.

 

 

2Firsts, December 23, 2025 – According to CodeBlue, a former political aide has alleged that a RM50 million bribe was offered to Malaysia’s then health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa to abandon the tobacco generational end game (GEG) policy.

 

The allegation was made by G. Sivamalar, who served as Dr Zaliha’s aide during her tenure as health minister. Sivamalar wrote in an op-ed published by Malaysia Gazette that the offer was rejected without hesitation. She later reiterated the claim in interviews and on social media.

 

Sivamalar told CodeBlue that neither she nor Dr Zaliha lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission or the police. She said the alleged offer came through intermediaries and occurred at an early stage before the tobacco bill was tabled in Parliament.

 

Despite the alleged rejection, the GEG provision was ultimately removed from the tobacco bill tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in November 2023. The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 prohibits the sale of cigarettes and vapes only to individuals under 18, rather than implementing a generational ban.

 

Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Commission Act requires individuals who receive bribery offers to report them, with failure to do so constituting a criminal offence.

 

Photo caption: Former Health Minister Dr. Zaliha Mustafa (left) and her assistant G. Sivamalar.

Image source: Facebook

 

References:
[1] Aide Claims Ex-Health Minister Zaliha Rejected RM50m Offer To Drop Tobacco GEG
Also Read:
[1] Malaysian Parliament Passes 2023 Public Health Control of Smoking Products Act
[2] Maldives Implements World's First Generational Prohibition on Tobacco, Banning Sales and Smoking for Those Born After 2007

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