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
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