Malaysia’s Chief Diplomat Fined For Vaping In Parliament

Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said he has paid a fine after getting caught smoking during a parliament session recently.

“A wrong is a wrong and I had admitted to it and apologised,’’ an ashen-faced Hishamuddin told lawmakers on Monday.

Read Also: Poll: Protester killed, Dozens Wounded In Belarus Unrest

Smoking is banned inside the Dewan Rakyat, or People’s Assembly, the official name for Malaysia’s parliament.

Offenders must pay a 250 ringgit (60 dollars) fine, with up to two years in jail facing those who do not pay.

On Thursday, Malaysian social media was lit up by footage from Aug. 3 showing the mask-clad minister surreptitiously slipping a vaping device, or electronic cigarette, under his face covering while Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong addressed lawmakers.

After his hidden habit was smoked out on Twitter, the minister replied, saying “I apologise to the Dewan and promise to not do it again.”