KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has apologised for vaping in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.
He posted the apology on his Twitter account today after being tagged in a tweet that carried a video showing him sticking a vape like device under his face mask.
For a brief second, smoke could be seen coming out of his mask on the left side, near his ear.
Instead of denying, Hishammuddin sent an apology to the Dewan Rakyat via a tweet this afternoon.
"Sorry, I didn't realise - it's a new habit. I apologise to the Dewan and promise to not do it again," the Sembrong Member of Parliament wrote.
Based on a Dewan Rakyat recording on August 3, Hishammuddin was seen vaping during the winding-up speech by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
In the House today, Wong Shu Qi (PH - Kluang) raised the matter following Hishammuddin's tweet, while quoting Standing Order 41(d) on "Behaviour of Members not speaking".
"The SO stated that no member shall smoke in the Chamber. A Twitter user raised the issue about Sembrong vaping on Monday when the Transport Minister was speaking and Hishammuddin apologised on his Twitter account.
"I believe it is better for Sembrong to apologise formally in this House," Wong said, where several MPs were heard shouting "agree!".
In response, Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon who looked confused over Wong's request said he took note of the matter and that the House will look into it.
Smoking is strictly prohibited in Parliament and the rule was tightened during the previous Pakatan Harapan's administration, where former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad declared Parliament as a non-smoking area in Oct 2018.
Anyone found breaking the law can be slapped with a maximum of RM500 compound and fined up to RM10,000 or face imprisonment of up to two months, or both.