KUALA LUMPUR: Questions over public compliance are inevitable when those entrusted to enforce the rules appear to disregard them.
A disturbing post on X showing three Health Ministry officials smoking at a restaurant has triggered an online storm after user @theafiqakmal shared photographs of them openly smoking during the festive season.
The post showed four photographs of three men clad in Health Ministry T-shirts and caps at Restaurant Madinah in Rawang.
Just a few feet away, an official government vehicle, allegedly linked to the ministry, was seen parked nearby.
According to the caption, the men were smoking in what is understood to be a non-smoking public area, raising eyebrows, given Malaysia's strict smoking regulations, particularly in eateries.
"Like this also can ah? Health officers smoking at a restaurant," the caption read, a line that quickly took on a life of its own as netizens piled into the comment section.
The irony was not lost on the public.
Many users expressed frustration, pointing out the apparent contradiction between enforcement and compliance, especially from those tasked with upholding public health laws.
Among the comments the post received were:
"If even they don't follow, how to expect rakyat to follow?"
"This is why people don't take the law seriously."
Another user said the least the three men could have done was walk away from their table to an open space to smoke.
The post has since been widely shared, sparking debate over accountability and enforcement, particularly during festive periods when compliance often takes a back seat to celebration.
The Health Ministry has not issued a statement at press time. - NST
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