BALIK PULAU: A food delivery man was fined RM1,800 by the magistrate's court today after pleading guilty to possessing two imitation guns earlier this month.
Magistrate Chia Huey Ting imposed the fine after Mohd Nasir Othman, 46, admitted to the offence.
Chia asked why he had purchased the guns, to which Nasir said he bought them from TikTok to play with his 11-year-old child, not realising the potential risks.
He said he thought it was harmless since they were using water-based bullets.
"If misused with steel bullets, they could cause fatal harm. If you want toys, buy them from proper stores, not online," Chia cautioned him.
The court accepted his plea and fined him RM1,800, with a default sentence of one month in jail.
The guns will be disposed of following any appeals.
Nasir had been found with two imitation guns on Jan 6 at his home in Bayan Lepas.
The guns, marked with "Combat Machine Cal. 7-8mm Water Bullet Gun" and "Property of U.S. Govt. M4A1 Carbine Cal. 5.56mm," were illegal without a valid licence.
His lawyer, Edmund Anthony Hermon, said that Nasir earned RM1,200 a month and supported two wives and six children.
He expressed remorse for his actions and was unaware that purchasing the imitation guns from TikTok was an offence.
Deputy Public Prosecutor R. Lushani urged the court to impose a penalty that would deter others, citing public safety concerns.
It was reported recently that a police raid targeting a ketum drink seller in Lintang Bayan 6 led to the discovery of a stash of 71 dangerous weapons, including a samurai sword, parang, keris, and kerambit.
Authorities also seized two imitation automatic machine guns.
During the 9am raid on Jan 6, police uncovered four barrels filled with packets of ketum drink and additional packets found in the boot of a car. The ketum drink was believed to have been intended for distribution in the Teluk Bahang and George Town areas.