Compiled by FAZLEENA AZIZ, BEH YUEN HUI and R. ARAVINTHAN
AN amateur angler walked away with a whopping RM105,000 in cash after bagging a 5.2kg pufferfish at a Malaysia Day fishing competition in Penarik, Terengganu.
Berita Harian reported that Zahri Mamat, 58, from Kampung Felda Cherul, won the first prize at the competition at Pantai Rhu 10 in Penarik on Sept 17.
Coming in second place was Mohd Nabil Mamat Yunus, 40, from Pasir Putih, Kelantan, who took home RM10,000 in cash after netting a pufferfish weighing 3.6kg.
Zahri said it was like a dream come true when he heard his name announced.
“I was surprised when I was told that the pufferfish I caught was crowned the heaviest fish.
“Usually, if you catch a pufferfish, it will be released again because it is worthless, but in the competition, it is very valuable.”
In 2010, he also won first place and a prize of RM22,000.
“After 13 years I won again but with a bigger prize. I will use the money for my old age, and I will also spend some with my family and friends,” he said.
More than 2,000 participants took part in the competition.
> Restaurants are considering increasing the price of white rice or reducing the quantity they serve if the nationwide supply crunch persists.
Eateries interviewed by Kosmo! in Ipoh and the surrounding areas found that they were still selling white rice for between RM1 and RM2 per serving.
A restaurant assistant known as Mohd Murshid, 36, said his eatery still maintains a price of RM1 for a serving of rice, but he is not ruling out the possibility of raising the price.
“At the moment we are still calm and hope the government will be able to overcome the supply problem or I may have to sell a plate of rice for RM1.20 or RM1.50,” he added.
Eatery owner Mohd Ariff Ghazali, 44, said he will likely reduce the quantity of white rice he serves if the problem continues, as he wants to avoid increasing prices.
“I believe my customers will understand what we are going through right now,” he said.
Mohd Ariff said customers who want more rice will be charged extra.
A customer, Mohd Hamdan Khairil Anwar, 29, said he understands the reasons behind any potential price hike or reduction in serving size.
The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
