Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Mohamad Hasan, will be fined for smoking in a prohibited area, the country’s Health Minister, Dzulkefly Ahmad, confirmed on Wednesday.
A photo of Mohamad smoking at a street-side eatery in Negeri Sembilan sparked public outrage after it was shared on social media. Smoking in eateries and restaurants has been banned in Malaysia since 2019, with stricter measures introduced in October 2024.
Dzulkefly, who reposted the image earlier this week, stated on social media platform X, “The Foreign Minister’s office has been informed of this matter.” He added that Mohamad himself requested to be fined for the offence.
Under Malaysian law, anyone caught smoking in restricted areas faces a fine of up to 5,000 ringgit ($1,120).
Mohamad apologized on Wednesday, acknowledging the public’s concerns. “If it has become a concern and an issue among the public, I would like to sincerely tender my apology,” he told *The Star* newspaper. “I will pay the fine, and I hope it will not be too high.”
The incident drew criticism online, with many users expressing disappointment in the minister’s actions.
“Whether you’re a minister… or a VVIP, wrong is still wrong. No one is above the law,” one user commented on X.
Another user remarked, “Lawmakers and law enforcement authorities who break laws should be punished more severely than the public.”
Health officials confirmed that Mohamad had received a violation notice, though the exact fine amount has yet to be determined.
