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MalaysiaThe Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mohamad Hasan will be punished after he caught smoking in a certain for non-smokers area, confirmed the country’s Minister of Health.
The incident came to light after a photo showing Mr Mohamad holding a cigarette in a restaurant in Negeri Sembilan state on the south-west coast of the Malay Peninsula went viral. social media.
Smoking in all restaurants and eateries it was declared illegal in Malaysia in 2019, and further restrictions were introduced in October this year.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed the violation, noting that “no one is above the law” under the Public Health Smoking Control Act 2024, which came into effect on October 1.
In a statement published on X, Mr. Dzulkefly said: “The Foreign Minister’s office has been informed about this matter. Frankly, Mohamad himself requested that the Ministry of Health issue a fine for the offense and told me that the fine will be paid.”
Speaking on the matter at a press conference, Mr Hasan expressed remorse for his actions and admitted that he had received a notice from the Seremban District Health Office earlier in the day.
“If it has become a public concern and issue, I would like to sincerely apologise,” said Mr Mohamad, also known as Tok Mat. “I will pay the fine and I hope it is not too high.”
The amount of the fine will be determined by the state prosecutor’s chambers, Mr. Mohamad said. According to Malaysian law, those who break the laws around smoking in restricted areas can be fined up to 5,000 ringgit (£880).
The controversy erupted after a social media post highlighted the incident as he shared a photo of Mr Mohamad smoking with several men during a visit to his constituency.
Speaking after attending the presentation ceremony of Malaysia’s contribution to Palestine in Putrajaya, Mr Hassan pledged to comply with the legal process and pay the complex once the amount was confirmed.
“I will pay the fine, but I will have to wait for the summons, because they only issued a notice (of an offense),” he explained, referring to the higher prosecutor’s offices.