Malaysian foreign minister Hishammuddin Hussein has apologised for vaping in the Dewan Rakyat (Malaysian Parliament).

Vaped under face mask

Videos of him vaping underneath a face mask was captured and circulated online on Aug. 6 afternoon.

Adoiii buat hal betul laa 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/TA9B1HF23l

— Mhd Shamin (@shamienhereyo) August 6, 2020

Hari tu Syed Sadek makan dalam parlimen walauncai cakap biadap. Ibarat cikgu tengah mengajar, anak murid makan dalam kelas.

Kalau isap vape ni kira macam mana?

Kalau Amran jadi cikgu memang pemadam papan hitam tu lama dh hinggap dekat muka dia. pic.twitter.com/CPF2yiKINQ

— Amran Fans (@_AmranFans) August 6, 2020

According to The Star, the video is believed to have been taken on Monday (Aug. 3).

In response to the video, Hishammuddin tweeted his apology and promised not to do it again.

Sorry, I didn't realise - it's a new habit. I apologise to the Dewan and promise to not do it again 😔 https://t.co/2BdUl6D9K2

— Hishammuddin Hussein 🇲🇾 (@HishammuddinH2O) August 6, 2020

The minister also stated that vaping is a "new habit" for him.

Used to be a heavy smoker

Hishammuddin used to be a heavy smoker, smoking up to three packs a day.

In 2013, he was hospitalised for coronary artery blockage.

He had tried to smoke a last cigarette on the day of his chest pains before he was taken to the hospital.

After completing an angioplasty procedure, he said, according to The Star:

"I regret having to undergo this situation. I'll quit smoking and practise a healthier lifestyle."

Smoking is strictly prohibited at the Dewan Rakyat and the rule was tightened during Pakatan Harapan (PH)'s former administration.

Former Malaysian health minister, Dzulkefly Ahmad, declared the Malaysian parliament a non-smoking area in October 2018.

Anyone found breaking the law can be issued a compound of a maximum of RM500 (S$164), and be fined up to RM10,000 (S$3,271) or face imprisonment of up to two months, or both.

Hishammuddin recently met Singapore's foreign affairs minister Vivian Balakrishnan at the Causeway on July 26 to discuss implementing two schemes to facilitate cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes.

Top images from Amran Fans/Twitter.