Hishamuddin: I've paid the fine for vaping in Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein says he has paid a fine after he was caught on camera vaping in the Dewan Rakyat.

"I was compounded for it and paid the fine. As I had stated, a wrong is a wrong and I had admitted to it and apologised," he said when the issue was raised by Wong Shu Qi (PH-Klang) in Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Aug 10).

From January this year, those found smoking in prohibited areas, including all eateries, will be compounded RM250.

Those who fail to pay the compound can be charged in court, where they are liable for a maximum fine of RM10,000 or two years in jail.

Hishammuddin was responding to Wong's interjection during a reply by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof on the Royal Address.

Wong said she raised the matter last week under Standing Order 41(d) that states that an MP is not allowed to smoke in the Dewan Rakyat when a sitting is in session.

Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon took note that Hishammuddin had apologised for his action and requested Mohd Redzuan to continue with his replies.

Earlier, before the start of Dewan Rakyat, a reminder was announced over Parliament's public address system that smoking was prohibited, including inside the August hall.

On Aug 6, a nine-second video clip showing the Sembrong MP sneaking a puff while wearing a face mask in the House which went viral on social media on Aug 6.

From January this year, those found smoking in prohibited areas including all eateries will be compounded RM250.

Those who fail to pay the compound can be charged in court where they are liable for a maximum fine of RM10,000 or two years in jail.