PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa’s former political secretary G. Sivamalar has lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over a so-called bribery attempt during the drafting of the anti-smoking law.
She claims there was pressure as well as offers of gratification from tobacco lobbyists.
Sivamalar served as a special officer when Dr Zaliha was health minister.
She was subsequently made her political secretary when Dr Zaliha was appointed a minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories)
“Yes. (The report was lodged)This morning," Sivamalar told The Star when contacted on Tuesday (Dec 23).
"It was more to clarify what transpired then."
Sivamalar said her personal tribute to her former boss, which was published by a news portal and on her Facebook page, had been taken out of context.
This, in turn, led to speculation and questions regarding alleged attempts at bribery, she added.
In her post, Sivamalar detailed how Dr Zaliha upheld her principles and stood firm when she had to face lobbyists from big tobacco companies.
Sivamalar claimed there were even offers of up to RM50mil to drop the generational end game (GEG) aspect of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, and Dr Zaliha had asked them to leave her ministry.
The GEG clause would ban the sale of tobacco and vape products to anyone born after 2007. The clause was eventually dropped from the Bill.
"I just mentioned it in one line in the article. But it was taken out of context," Sivamalar said.
"There was no serious offer. She (Dr Zaliha) didn’t give any room for any serious offer (to be made). That was what I was trying to say.
"If there is a need, the MACC can investigate," she added.
In a separate statement issued Tuesday, Sivamalar said her post was never intended to allege misconduct or suggest that any improper engagement took place, adding that the sole purpose was to highlight Dr Zaliha’s integrity and leadership.
"Unfortunately, a small portion was extracted without context and has since gone viral, resulting in misunderstanding," Sivamalar said.
The incident referred to occurred approximately two years ago, following Dr Zaliha’s announcement as health minister that her ministry was preparing legislation related to smoking and vaping products.
Sivamalar said that public reaction was mixed and marked by widespread misunderstanding, with many wrongly assuming the proposal involved a total ban.
"This created anxiety among industry players and stakeholders.
"In the week following the announcement, various individuals attempted to contact the minister’s office, including (requesting) meetings. On one occasion, while I was attending to visitors at the lobby, a person or group requested to meet the minister.
"When asked about the purpose of the meeting, it became apparent that they intended to negotiate the withdrawal of the proposed Bill, with implied offers being suggested.
"I immediately informed Dr Zaliha of this request. She categorically refused to meet anyone and instructed that they be asked to leave.
"I conveyed this instruction, and the individuals left. She did not meet them at any time, nor did she entertain any discussion of such nature," she added.
She said the ministry’s priority at that point was to stabilise the situation by clarifying the Bill's aims to the public and ensuring that stakeholders clearly understood the intent and scope of the proposed legislation.
"In my assessment at the time, there was no serious or explicit bribery offer that met the threshold to require immediate reporting.
"Had there been any clear, direct, or explicit attempt to offer a bribe, it would have been reported to the authorities without hesitation," she said, adding that she is prepared to provide further clarification if needed.
It was reported by a health portal earlier that Sivamalar claimed she witnessed an attempt to bribe the then-minister to drop the GEG attempt.
Subsequently, the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) urged the MACC to probe the claim and verify Sivamalar's allegation.
