The Malaysian Women’s Action for Tobacco Control and Health (MyWATCH) has expressed disappointment with Budget 2027, criticising the government’s failure to introduce further tobacco excise duty increases, stronger vaping restrictions and sufficient measures to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
MyWATCH President Puan Roslizawati Md Ali said the budget, tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday (Oct 9), missed an opportunity to prioritise disease prevention and address Malaysia’s growing healthcare burden.
While acknowledging the increased allocation for the Ministry of Health, permanent appointments for contract doctors and improvements in healthcare services, she said these measures largely focused on treating existing illnesses rather than preventing them.
MyWATCH highlighted the absence of additional tobacco excise duty increases as a major disappointment, particularly following the two-sen-per-stick increase announced under Budget 2026.
The organisation called for substantial tobacco tax increases, with automatic annual adjustments exceeding inflation and income growth, alongside a target for tobacco taxes to account for at least 75% of retail prices.
It argued that higher tobacco taxes could discourage smoking, particularly among young people, while generating additional government revenue and reducing future healthcare costs.
MyWATCH also criticised the absence of a clear commitment to banning the commercial sale and distribution of recreational vaping products.
The organisation urged the government to strengthen enforcement against illegal sales and marketing, introduce a comprehensive ban on recreational vaping and reconsider the Generational EndGame (GEG) policy through a legally robust framework.
Roslizawati said Malaysia must place greater emphasis on preventing diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and obesity rather than relying predominantly on healthcare spending to manage their consequences.
MyWATCH called for stronger fiscal policies to encourage healthier food choices, including a review of subsidies supporting sugar production.
It also proposed establishing a sustainable national health promotion financing mechanism and reconsidering the creation of a dedicated institution such as MySihat 2.0.
The organisation warned that Malaysia’s ageing population could place increasing pressure on healthcare services, household finances and national productivity unless greater investments are made in preventive healthcare.
It also supported calls for comprehensive healthcare workforce reforms and sustainable financing arrangements.
MyWATCH called on the government and Members of Parliament to address these concerns during the forthcoming Budget 2027 parliamentary debates.
Its proposals include tobacco excise reform, stronger vaping controls, dedicated funding for NCD prevention and healthy ageing, and greater transparency in measuring the effectiveness of public health expenditure.
The organisation also suggested considering tax increases outside the budget process for tobacco and other products associated with disease risks if significant amendments to Budget 2027 are not possible.
“Prevention is not a luxury to be funded only when money is available. It is one of the wisest investments a financially constrained nation can make,” MyWATCH said.
It stressed that responsibility for improving public health should extend beyond the Health Ministry to include the Finance Ministry and other government agencies whose policies influence Malaysians’ health and wellbeing.
