In a post on social media X on December 18, Malaysian Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said: " Today, competent officials from the Seremban District Health Office will meet with the Foreign Minister to issue a violation notice and impose an administrative penalty .
The Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs has been informed of this violation. To be honest, it was Mr. Mohamad himself who asked the Ministry of Health to impose a fine for the violation and he also told me that he would pay the fine ."
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan. (Photo: Malay Mail)
Speaking at a press conference on December 18, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said he received a notice from the Seremban District Health Office that morning, but did not yet know the exact amount of the fine.
“ If this has caused concern and is a problem for the people, I sincerely apologize, ” he said, hoping the fine would not be too high.
Malaysian Foreign Minister (in white collared shirt) smokes at restaurant.
On December 17, several photos circulated online showing a man believed to be Mr. Mohamad, also known as Tok Mat, holding a cigarette while sitting with a group of people at a restaurant.
The account owner also shared a poster listing 28 no-smoking areas as regulated by the country's Ministry of Health.
Malaysian Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad asserted that his ministry always maintains the principle that no one is above the law.
“ Since Act 852 (Tobacco Products Control Act for Public Health, 2024) came into effect on October 1, I have maintained this principle ,” he stressed.
Under Malaysian law, people caught smoking in prohibited areas can be fined up to $1,120 (about VND28.5 million).
Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in restaurants, workplaces with central air conditioning, as well as in medical, educational, government, cultural facilities and indoor stadiums.
However, smoking is still allowed in some places such as bars, discos, nightclubs, casinos and non-air-conditioned public transport stations. Local administrative areas have the power to enact anti-smoking laws that are stricter than the national regulations.
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/hut-thuoc-noi-cong-cong-ngoai-truong-malaysia-bi-phat-tien-ar914621.html
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