PUTRAJAYA — Malaysia’s foreign minister Hishammuddin Hussein has apologised on Thursday (Aug 6) after being caught on video vaping in Parliament.

“Sorry, I didn’t realise — it’s a new habit. I apologise to the Dewan (Parliament) and promise to not do it again,” said the Sembrong Member of Parliament on Twitter.

The minister was replying to Twitter user Mhd Shamin, who posted a nine-second video of the minister vaping in his seat in Parliament.

Mr Shamin’s tweet has since been retweeted more than 700 times.

In the video, Mr Hishammuddin was seen vaping under his face mask while seated behind transport minister Wee Ka Siong, who was speaking.

Vapours can be seen coming out from the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) MP’s mask.

There is no date as to when the incident took place but is believed to have been on Monday afternoon when Mr Wee was delivering his winding-up speech.

Former health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad imposed a smoking ban in Parliament after Pakatan Harapan came into power in 2018.

On October 15, 2018, Parliament was declared as a no-smoking zone as part of the government’s efforts to curb the habit among Malaysians.

A lawmaker was among eight people who were given compound notices after the ban took effect in the building.

Lawmaker Wong Shu Qi, meanwhile, has referred Mr Hishammuddin’s incident to deputy speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon and asked Mr Hishammuddin apologise to Parliament. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT