A Singaporean man was fined in Malaysia for smoking outdoors, by a group of people who were allegedly posing as government officials.
The man, Mr Tan, told Mothership that he was at Genting Highlands on 3 June and smoking in an outdoor area on the 4th floor of the Resorts World Genting shopping mall, outside Sky Avenue.
He was then approached by a group of people alleging to be officers from the Ministry of Health Malaysia, who issued him a “summons” for smoking there.
There was also no sign stating that it was illegal to smoke there and the only “no smoking” sign was on the wall near the toilets.
Tan added that the “officials” were not wearing any uniforms and didn’t provide any identification to prove that they were government officials.
He was given a fine of RM250 and told by the “officials” that he could pay the fine on the spot by handing them RM150 cash.
He felt something was wrong but decided to just pay the fine on the spot, and filled in the “form” that was given to him with fake information and contact details.
He then saw the “officers” move on to another group of smokers holding on to e-cigarettes, and issued them fines even though they had yet to use the e-cigarette.
The group of “officers” then insisted that they were breaking the law.