Malaysia foreign minister to be fined for smoking at eatery

13 Sept 15:41 Key points summarised by AI

Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Mohamad Hasan, will be fined for smoking in a non-smoking area at an eatery, as confirmed by the Health Minister.
Smoking in all Malaysian eateries has been illegal since 2019, with further strict measures introduced in October this year.
Mohamad Hasan apologized for the incident, stating he received a violation notice and intends to pay the fine, which can reach up to 5,000 ringgit ($1,120).
A photo of the minister smoking sparked online outrage, with the public emphasizing that no individual, regardless of status, is above the law.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Yesterday 15:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul initiated a nationwide crackdown on illegal Thai nominee shareholders in foreign-run businesses and land holdings to safeguard national interests.
The government will integrate efforts across all relevant agencies to target illicit foreign operations, forced sales of illegally acquired property, and high-risk land ownership schemes.
Key strategies include auditing suspect land and building holdings, establishing a long-term monitoring system, and cross-referencing data from various authorities to trace ultimate beneficial owners.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that no influential figures or corrupt officials are above the law, promising straightforward prosecution, asset seizures, and protection for enforcing officers.
Beyond land ownership, the integrated crackdown will also extend to tackle transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking.