Social Welfare Minister Syed Mohsin Ali has apologised publicly for smoking on the stage during a reception programme for GPA holders on Monday.
The minister made the apology by holding a press conference at his Moulvibazar residence on Tuesday afternoon.
“I am extremely sorry for the incident. It will not be repeated in future,” said Mohsin Ali.
Earlier in the morning, the minister said sorry to all in his Facebook status.
In the status, he stated that the incident happened unconsciously.
“I am embarrassed by the picture of mine which has been published in several news media. I am not denying that I am a chain smoker, but smoking in public was obviously not right,” reads the Facebook status.
“I hope you will pardon me considering my self-realisation,” he added in the facebook status.
The minister triggered huge criticism as he openly smoked on stage in a reception for GPA-5 holders in JSC and PSC examinations in Sylhet on Monday.
Mohsin Ali, MP of Moulavibazar-3 constituency, was the chief guest in the reception programme at Sylhet Border Guard Public School and College.
Source: Dhaka Tribune