PUTRAJAYA: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has apologised for his action for smoking in a prohibited area.
In a press conference today, Mohamad said he will also pay the compound issued against him by the Seremban district health office.
"The officers from the district health office came to see me this morning because I could not return to Seremban and I requested for them to come as I will be heading to Bangkok tomorrow.
"If this (my action) has caused concern and become an issue for the public, I sincerely apologise," he said in a press conference after the presentation ceremony for Malaysia's Contribution to Palestine under the initiative of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Mohamad added that the compound notice issued to him by the Seremban District Health Office would also be submitted to the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) to determine the amount of the fine and the next course of action.
"I will pay the fine, but I will have to wait for the summons letter, as they only issued the notice (of the offence)," he said.
Previously, posts circulated on social media platforms showing an individual, believed to be Mohamad, holding a cigarette while in the company of a group of men in an eatery.
According to the post, Mohamad was allegedly smoking at the eatery during a visit to his constituency in Negeri Sembilan.
However, no further details were provided regarding the date and time of the incident, as well as the name of the restaurant.
Following this, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said authorised officers from the Seremban District Health Office would meet Mohamad today to issue a notice of offence and a compound fine.
Dr Dzulkefly, via X, said Mohamad's office had already been informed of the matter.
Dr Dzulkefly stressed that no one is exempt from the law under the Tobacco Control for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) when smoking in restaurants.