A LOCAL fisherman was fined RM11,000 by Kota Tinggi Sessions Court yesterday after pleading guilty to three charges, including possession of explosives, in April this year.

Abdul Gafar Abdul Latif, 48, admitted the charges after they were read out to him before Judge Norsiah Ujang.

According to a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) statement today, the man who was in a local fishing vessel at a position of 0.2nm from Tanjung Selantai, Mersing, was found to be in possession of emulex type explosives without permission, on April 18.

He was also charged with fishing without a licence and possessing fishing equipment without a permit at 11pm on the same day.

Judge Norsiah Ujang fined him RM10,000 for the first and second charges, in lieu of three months in jail on the first charge and two months on the second. She ordered him to pay a fine of RM1,000 for the third charge.

The court also ordered he forfeit his vessel and fishing equipment. – Bernama, October 6, 2022.