Five jailed for fish bombing

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The five surrounded by family members outside the Magistrate’s Court after they were sentenced yesterday.

The five surrounded by family members outside the Magistrate’s Court after they were sentenced yesterday.

KOTA KINABALU: Five men were jailed six months by a Magistrate’s Court for fishing with explosives.

Magistrate Mohd Faiz Omar imposed the sentence on Azlan Pari, 32, Azman Pari, 30, Egar Mamud, 40, Redwan Baktiar, 36, and Khalid Baktiar, 20, after they pleaded guilty to a joint charge under Section 26(1) (c) of the Fisheries Act 1985, which carries a fine not exceeding RM20,000 or a maximum jail term of two years, or both, upon conviction.

The unrepresented accused were apprehended by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency personnel near Manukan Island on August 12 at around 4pm.

They were found with 400kg of various types of fish. Thirty-four out of 38 of the fish were confirmed to have been caught using a fish bomb.

During mitigation, all the accused asked the court to take into consideration their families whom they are supporting.

In reply, deputy public prosecutor Nurun Nazifah Muhammad Iyen applied for a deterrent sentence as this is a serious case which reflects negatively on the fishery and tourism sectors.

The court also ordered all the accused to be referred to the Immigration Department after serving their sentences.