UPDATE (19 June / 2:50 PM):
The Minister of Health, YB Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has made an official statement regarding the blocking of the smoking ban hotline. Essentially, he confirms that the ministry will be discussing with WhatsApp’s parent company Facebook in order to come to a solution regarding the matter.
ORIGINAL STORY (19 May / 1:40 PM):
Malaysia’s Ministry of Health has a WhatsApp hotline that allows people to report others who smoke in public areas. It looks like it won’t be usable for awhile as WhatsApp has blocked the health ministry’s hotline.
According to a report by Free Malaysia Today, messages sent to the number in question do not show the double tick that indicates the recipient has received the message. Incidentally, the number in question is 0108608949.
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A health ministry source said that the blocking has to do with the messaging app’s privacy policy. Part of it states that it should not be used to violate or infringe the rights of other users’ privacy. The ministry is currently consulting with legal experts to find ways to continue providing the hotline without “being accused of breaking the rules.”
The smoking ban was imposed earlier this year, on 1 January. Under the rule, smokers can only light up when they are three meters away from any restaurant. Failure to comply may result in fines of up to RM10000 or three years’ jail, for both smokers and premise owners for not enforcing the rule.
(Source: Free Malaysia Today)
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