Uncles smoking under ‘No Smoking' signs go viral
The video, posted on Reddit by user @Adorable_Fool0, shows the pair puffing away in full view of diners, seemingly unfazed by the warning signs plastered on the walls.
According to the uploader, one of the men caught lighting up was none other than the restaurant's owner.
'One of them is the owner, guys. Reported to the hotline already,' the Redditor wrote.
The clip quickly gained traction, drawing hundreds of comments from Malaysians who shared similar experiences of smoke-filled eateries despite the nationwide ban.
One commenter, @cyberkewl, said there was little customers could do.
'Nothing much can do other than if you dare — tegur (reprimand), if not just ignore.
'Shop owner also don't want do anything... they won't cos will lose their biz.'
Another user, @Last_Commission8617, compared the situation to Singapore's stricter rules.
'Malaysia enforcement not strict like SG. In SG kena saman. Here I don't even see any enforcers around... Malaysia just put sign saying no smoke but orang yg bagi saman tu takde (the ones giving fines are not there).'
Some shared their own attempts at speaking up, often with disappointing results.
'My experience after pointing out to a staff or worker was a 'what can we do' shrug,' said @obiedge.
'The boss scolded me for being a busybody,' added @ylngui.
Others argued that businesses deliberately turn a blind eye.
'If they get more complaints sure, but if they don't, doubt they'll enforce... smokers also bring money in,' wrote @cyberkewl.
Still, not everyone lets it slide. One user, @Automatic-Word2917, said direct confrontation often works.
'I tegur terus. They always say sorry and go off to smoke elsewhere.
'All smokers know it is against the law... Don't just biar je (let it be). If they want to kill themselves, that's their choice. But don't drag the rest of us along.'
The commenter urged Malaysians to make noise and report such incidents:
'File your complaints to KKM and the local council anyway. Make it viral. Name and shame... I guarantee you every businessman cares about a RM10k fine.'
Under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which came into force in January 2025, smoking and vaping are banned in 28 types of premises, including eateries, hospitals, workplaces, laundromats, air-conditioned shops, entertainment outlets and theatres.
Offenders face fines of up to RM5,000, while business owners can also be fined up to RM5,000 if they fail to display no-smoking signs, allow smoking, or neglect to take action against violators.
The Health Ministry urges the public to report violations via the WhatsApp Aduan Merokok line (+6010-860 8949), the hotline (03-88924530) or the JomLapor portal.
Reports should include photos or videos along with the date, time, location, and a brief description of the incident.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
King shares Queen's heartfelt message for safer schools
KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, today called on the government to launch a comprehensive anti-bullying campaign, starting at the primary school level. The King warned that failure to address the issue early could result in a generation devoid of respect and compassion. In a post on his official Facebook page, Sultan Ibrahim shared a blog post penned by Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, titled "When Schools Should Be Safe Places". Below is the post in full: "When Schools Should Be Safe Places" It often happens that our rambling family conversations will touch on many topics and issues: from the health of our elderly relatives, to the weather, and then to international and local news. And, as always, it ends with our shared concern about what is happening locally. It is, as always, too, almost impossible to ignore what is of concern to most Malaysians. Since late July, we have all been aware of both happy and sad news that have made headlines in both mainstream and social media. And thus it was that we ended up sharing stories about bullying at our schools and other educational institutions in Malaysia. Over the years, news and accounts of bullying and their often tragic results have always made for disturbing reading. In 2017, Zulfarhan Osman Zulkifli, a navy cadet, died from burn wounds on his body. In the same year, T. Nhaveen, from Georgetown, died from internal bleeding in his head. Both of them were the victims of bullying. Schools and other educational institutions, including universities, should ideally be places where our children (of whatever age) feel safe. But the opposite is true for far too many of them: these are instead places where many become the victims of their peers. Why do some of those who have been bullied choose to keep their ordeals to themselves? During another chat with a family friend, I found out that one of the reasons a student will not expose the identities of their bullies is to protect their circle of friends: if they "snitch" about their tormentors, their friends would be bullied too. So, to protect their friends, they would keep quiet. Others who are lucky enough to be able to leave their schools would choose to do so. But those who do not have this choice would stay on and endure whatever is done to them. After my conversations with both family and friends concerning bullying at our schools and universities, I scrolled through the different social media platforms. I had been told by my younger relatives to watch a locally-produced series and a film about bullying at a boarding school, both of which are based on real events. I watched the trailer but decided against watching the entire film: this was no light-hearted comedy. One article written about the series noted that "…If you've been to a boarding school before, you'll have experienced the thrills and spills of asrama life…However, for many Malaysians, the word 'asrama" will remind them of its negative aspects like bullying, for example." Bullying at schools has become an unwanted and ugly culture in Malaysia. Just talking to family and friends proves that it happens more often than not. And that it is real. It is rampant. Do we just ignore it because it hasn't happened to our own son or daughter? Must another teenager or young adult die a painful death before we say enough is enough? How many more parents and families have to endure the grief of losing a loved family member? If we aspire so much to be called a "caring" society, then it's time for us all to answer these questions. Malaysian children, teenagers, and young adults should not dread having to be at schools or universities because they must face yet another day, yet another night, of being tortured by their fellow classmates. Parents, too, should not have to worry about the safety of their children at school whilst they struggle with financial burdens and family problems. It is our collective responsibility as a society to make sure that those who have died at the hands of their bullies have not died in vain.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Hong Kong arrests two over suspected US$6.7mil water scam
HONG KONG: Hong Kong police said Monday they had arrested two people over a suspected scam involving a water supplier that may have cheated the government in a contract worth nearly US$7 million. A company named Xin Ding Xin won a deal in June to provide 1.88 million bottles of water for dispensers in some government offices – the first time such a contract went to a Chinese brand, according to local media. But police said the firm was found to have relied on false documents during the tender process, claiming to source its water from another mainland Chinese supplier when in fact they had no business ties. Officers arrested a 61-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman for fraud on Sunday, seizing around 2,600 bottles of water in a warehouse along with documents and electronic devices. The arrests have prompted water-cooler discussions across the Chinese finance hub on how bureaucrats missed the tell-tale signs of a scam when awarding a 36-month contract worth HK$52.9 million (US$6.77 million). Payment for the delivered batches has not yet been settled, according to police. The Government Logistics Department said on Monday that it had terminated its bottled water supply contract with Xin Ding Xin, as well as "three other contracts for the supply of chemicals which were affiliated with XDX's owner." Christopher Hui, Hong Kong's Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, set up a dedicated task force following an urgent meeting on Sunday. Hui also ordered "remedial actions" and invited the Audit Commission to review the tender exercise. "The incident has raised concerns among government colleagues and drawn extensive attention from the public," he said in a press release. Aside from the two arrests on Sunday, one mainland Chinese man remains at large, police said.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar: No nation is safe when racial hatred thrives
CYBERJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on Malaysians to reject attempts to incite racial hatred and not be swayed by those exploiting sensitive issues to divide national unity. Speaking at a town hall during the launch of Multimedia University's (MMU) Faculty of Artificial Intelligence and Engineering (FAIE), he reminded the audience that Malaysians must rise above destructive tendencies. "Remember, we are anak Malaysia who should love our country. "We must put an end to this destructive culture of corruption and racism, of inciting racial hatred, constant quarrelling, provoking and insulting religion or race. "This is not education. Education should lead us towards good and transformation," he said. He added that the country must be safeguarded against such elements, including bullying and abuse. Anwar said that Malaysia is a nation of laws with a firm legal system, and that violations would be dealt with regardless of a person's status or background. "This is a nation of laws with rules that must be respected. The National Unity Ministry exists because, to me, political stability is essential. "This country must also learn from others. Nowhere in the world has racial or religious hatred ever brought safety or stability," he said at the Temu Anwar programme. He was responding to a student's question on government efforts to strengthen unity and combat racism. "No country can remain safe if voices of racial or religious hatred are allowed to flourish. We must be firm in ensuring no one fans such divisions," he said. The prime minister also praised the maturity of today's youth in prioritising unity. "My outlook is very hopeful when I see young people today being positive and mature in their views on unity. But we must also recognise there are still groups trying to incite and distort facts," he added. Citing the death of student Zara Qairina Mahathir, Anwar again stressed that the government has never concealed facts or protected anyone. "If it involves murder or bullying, I don't care whose child it is — if a crime has been committed, we will investigate and prosecute," he said. Also present at the launch were Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. MMU's new FAIE will feature state-of-the-art laboratories to foster creativity and collaboration between students, researchers and industry partners, ensuring graduates remain competitive in the digital economy. The faculty will introduce a new Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Applied AI) programme, a three-year full-time course beginning in July 2025. Existing engineering programmes will also be enhanced with AI components to equip students with advanced technological skills. Applied AI covers technologies such as machine learning and automation to address real-world challenges, including smart healthcare, autonomous vehicles, intelligent farming and personalised digital assistants.
