KUALA LUMPUR – Comedian Shahmira Muhamad, better known as Shuib Sepahtu, was fined RM10,000 by the Magistrate’s Court today after pleading guilty to promoting a brand of smoking products.
Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah imposed the fine, with the warning that failure to pay would result in a one-month jail sentence. Shuib promptly settled the fine.
The offence stemmed from a YouTube podcast broadcast on October 22, 2024, in which Shuib promoted a smoking product. The Ministry of Health’s Public Health Inspectorate and Legal Sector reviewed the video, which led to the charge under Section 9(1) of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852). This section prohibits the promotion of tobacco, smoking substances, or tobacco substitutes, including products marketed as quit-smoking aids.
The charge, framed under Section 9(3) of Act 852, carries a penalty of up to RM20,000, one year in prison, or both for a first offence. The prosecution argued for a heavier sentence, citing the negative societal impact of promoting smoking brands.
“The use of smoking products can lead to serious health complications, resulting in high treatment costs if users fall ill,” the prosecuting officer stated. “Children and adolescents under 18 are particularly vulnerable to such promotions, especially when endorsed by influential public figures,” he added.
Shuib’s defence lawyer, Izzudin, contended that his client was merely the producer of the podcast, and that the agreement had been signed before Act 852 was enacted. He also noted that Shuib had taken immediate action to remove the video from YouTube, thus mitigating its societal impact.
Izzudin further argued that the charge was made on October 22, 2024, prior to the official enforcement of Act 852 in April 2025. – January 7, 2026