Smoking pen? Netizens raise eyebrows at Perikatan MP’s clarification

PETALING JAYA – A photograph of a Perikatan Nasional (PN) MP seemingly vaping in Parliament has made its rounds on the internet, prompting the lawmaker himself to clarify that he was merely holding a pen.

In the photo snapped by Sadiq Asyraf, Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz can be seen standing in the foreground with an object held to his mouth.

Sadiq, who is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s photographer, said in a post on X: “...terus tarik vape sambil keluar dewan” (...took a hit from his vape while exiting the House).

Betul betul koyak terus tarik vape sambil keluar dewan pic.twitter.com/wmMJu2nAjs

— sadiqasyraf (@sadiqasyraf) September 19, 2023

Ikmal’s “clarification” had shocked netizens.

Many found the explanation hard to believe, based on the way he was holding the “pen”.

A Twitter user remarked that “hisap pen” (smoking a pen) is not normal behaviour.

Ikmal told FMT that he is not a smoker and that he could not even tolerate sitting next to smokers.

As vaping and smoking in Parliament are banned, it was reported that speaker Datuk Seri Johari Abdul said he would issue a letter to Ikmal.

Ikmal responded by saying that he is prepared to explain the matter. – The Vibes, September 21, 2023