Activist tries to free broke fishing duo from jail, finds tangled mess instead
CORONAVIRUS | Social activist Kuan Chee Heng has defended a three-month jail sentence handed out to two men from Sungai Siput who were netted by police for going fishing during the movement control order (MCO) period.
In a Facebook post, Kuan said the duo, who were reportedly unable to pay their fines, had a history of convictions and had insisted on being sent to prison.
CORONAVIRUS | Social activist Kuan Chee Heng has defended a three-month jail sentence handed out to two men from Sungai Siput who were netted by police for going fishing during the movement control order (MCO) period.
In a Facebook post, Kuan said the duo, who were reportedly unable to pay their fines, had a history of convictions and had insisted on being sent to prison.
"After considering their previous convictions and their insistence on a jail sentence, the court meted out a maximum jail sentence to lessen the burden of the authorities to keep an eye on them," he said.
"The court could have easily jailed them for a shorter period to serve as a warning."
Court documents confirmed that Chin Chee Wei, 45, and Chong Poh Wah, 56, were arrested on Thursday while travelling on a motorcycle with fishing rods.
According to Sin Chew Daily, the men told the court that they used to earn a daily wage of RM100 but that has been cut off due to the MCO.
Under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Local Infected Areas) Regulations 2020, all non-essential travel within Malaysia is not permitted until the MCO is lifted.
Anyone violating the law can be fined up to RM1,000, jailed up to six months, or both.
The men said they were planning to catch fish for their own consumption.
Kuan added that he was initially approached to pay the duo's RM2,000 fine and secure their release from prison.
"We managed to contact some people in Sungai Siput and the whole story is entirely different from (what was) reported," he said.
"So I hope this article will clear the air as the authorities have not been so harsh. The magistrate has rightly caged them away so that they can obey the MCO and reduce their presence in public where they have previous convictions and are habitual offenders.
"It makes the public safer by keeping them away. If they wander around, they may be Covid-19 carriers," he said.
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