Malaysian comedian Shuib Sepahtu recently learnt the hard way that there are things you can’t promote on the internet. After promoting a vape product on his podcast two years ago, the entertainer recently got slapped with an RM10,000 fine.
According to reports, Shuib, whose real name is Shahmira Muhamad, pleaded guilty to promoting an electronic cigarette, better known as a vape, on his podcast, “Dol’s Podcast”, two years ago. He admitted to promoting the brand of a smoking product on an episode of his podcast from October 2024, which led to public backlash.
The court charged him for violating Section 9 (I) of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health 2024 (Act 852), which prohibits participating in any arrangement that promotes tobacco, smoking substances or tobacco substitutes. Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah ordered Shuib to pay a fine of RM10,000 and ordered him to serve one month in jail if he failed to pay.
Shuib’s defence lawyer, Ahmad I’zzudin Ahmad Nadzri, appealed for a minimum fine, stating that his client had deleted the YouTube video after realising his mistake. He also added that the comedian signed the agreement with the vape company before Act 852 came into effect. Regardless, Shuib paid the fine after the proceedings, but didn’t speak to any attending media.
In the same court, the owner of the sponsored vape company also pleaded guilty to promoting the electronic cigarette. Mohd Redzuan Hamizan Rahim, director of Bangsawan Distribution Sdn Bhd and owner of Soundvape, also pleaded guilty to sponsoring the product on Shuib’s podcast. He was also fined RM10,000.
While it was a hefty price to pay, we’re glad that Shuib took responsibility for the incident. Hopefully, the comedian won’t repeat the same mistake. We also hope other local celebrities will treat this as a lesson for the future. What are your thoughts on this?
Sources: Bernama, New Straits Times
