Malaysian Foreign Minister to be fined for smoking at roadside eatery

Today (December 18), Malaysian Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the country's Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan will be fined for being caught smoking at a roadside restaurant.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan

Earlier in the week, Malaysian Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad reposted a photo of Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan smoking a cigarette at a restaurant in Negeri Sembilan state on the southwest coast of peninsular Malaysia.

Since 2019, Malaysia has implemented a ban on smoking in all eateries and restaurants in the country, and is moving towards enacting stricter enforcement measures in October this year, according to AFP.

"The Foreign Minister's Office has been informed of the matter," Health Minister Dzulkefly wrote on his X account (formerly Twitter name) today, December 18, adding that the foreign minister himself also wants to pay a fine for violating the ban.

Under Malaysian law, people caught smoking in areas where this behavior is prohibited can face fines of up to 5,000 ringgit (58.5 million VND).

Foreign Minister Mohamad apologized on December 18 and said he had received a notice of violation from health authorities, but the specific fine had not yet been determined.

"If that becomes a concern and problem for the public, I would like to offer my most sincere apology," The Star newspaper quoted the foreign minister as saying.

"I will pay the fine, and hopefully it won't be too high," he added.

The photo of Mr. Mohamad smoking at a roadside restaurant has caused outrage among Malaysians. Most opinions say that whether it is a minister or a high-ranking official, everyone must take responsibility for their own wrongdoings, and no one is above the rule of law.

It is argued that officials should be punished more severely than ordinary people if they break the law.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ngoai-truong-malaysia-se-bi-phat-vi-hut-thuoc-o-quan-an-ven-duong-185241218165036067.htm