Duo caught fishing say they were only trying feed their families; both get three months' jail

- Sin Chew Daily

SUNGAI SIPUT: Two men caught fishing during the movement control order (MCO) period – who claimed they were only trying to put food on the table for their families – were sentenced to three months' jail each by a Magistrate's Court here.

Chin Chee Wei, 45, and Chong Poh Wah, 56, both labourers, pleaded guilty to the offence before Magistrate Norhabsarina Ayob when they were charged here on Friday (April 3).

According to the charge sheet, the duo, who were on a motorcycle, had gone fishing at a pond in Rimba Panjang near here on April 2 at 5pm and were stopped by policemen doing their rounds.

They were unable to provide a valid reason of being there and were arrested under Section 269 of the Penal Code and the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations.

In mitigation, their counsel Balakrishna Balaravi Pillai from the National Legal Aid Foundation said both his clients – who did roof repairs – could not find any work since the MCO was implemented.

He said both of them had gone fishing to source for food.

"Both their wives are not working and Chin has two school-going children.

"I hope the court will grant them community service instead of jail time," he had said.

However, Norhabsarina meted out a jail sentence.

Balakrishna said he would file for a revision on the sentence at the Ipoh High Court.