The Higher Education Ministry has banned the use of e-cigarettes or vaping in all 20 public universities nationwide. Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said the unanimous decision was reached in a meeting with the universities' vice-chancellors held on Nov 20. Idris said the universities have the autonomy to set their own penalties against individuals found guilty of vaping or smoking within the campus. "Penalty or fine depends on the respective vice-chancellors and we (the ministry) will not interfere," he said.
>Father forces children to sell vegetables instead of attending school
A man in his 40s was accused of forcing his three children, aged between three and 10, to sell vegetables by the roadside and not allowing them to attend school in Kunak, Sabah. The victims were also allegedly abused by the father and their stepmother. The victims' biological mother, who is working in Kuala Lumpur, lodged a report at the Dang Wangi police station after she was told by her sister that the children were seen trading at a market. Jumatiah Jahud, 32, said she only knew about the children's ordeal after managing to contact them again recently. She was married to their father in 2001 but the marriage was marred by domestic abuse before she moved to Kuala Lumpur by herself to earn a living. She had tried to take the children with her but was threatened with violence by the suspect. "I would deposit RM1,500 into my husband's bank account every month for the children's school expenses," she said. Kunak OCPD Supt Ab Rashid Abdullah confirmed that the case was being investigated.