Back in October, the government brought the Public Health Smoking Product Control Act 2024 (Act 852) into force, where it broadened the number of places where smoking is off-limits.
Despite the new law, there are still a number of Malaysians who disregard it and openly smoke at places they’re not supposed to – and this time it allegedly involved a minister.
M’sian minister allegedly smokes at eatery
In an X post (formerly Twitter) by @MsianInciter on Sunday (Dec 15), it showed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan holding what appeared to a cigarette in his hand.
According to the post, he was spotted hanging out with several other men at an eatery in Pekan Rantau in Negeri Sembilan.
In the caption, the OP wrote: ‘I thought eateries were no-smoking zones? But the Minister of Foreign Affairs is smoking and relaxing’ and tagged Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and the Department of Health (MOH).
A Facebook post shared by Hasan on his profile showed him being at the same place, but the only difference was that he didn’t have a cigarette in his hand.
Netizens outraged by post
Needless to say, netizens were angered by how blatantly Hasan had allegedly broken the smoking ban and called the authorities to take action.
‘Wrong is wrong. MOH needs to give the Minister of Foreign Affairs a fine. Make him an example of no matter whether you’re a minister, T20, or VVIP, wrong means wrong. No one is above the law.’
‘My goodness, Tok Mat (Hasan). Was it nice smoking at the eatery? @KKMPutrajaya are you just going to keep quiet?’
‘Malaysia has different laws for the ordinary people and elite.’
Following the incident, Dr Dzulkefly responded with an X post of his own by saying that ‘no one is above the law’.
However, it’s not known whether action has or will be taken against Hasan for the alleged smoking.
READ ALSO:
