Tourist fined RM6,000 for smoking in aircraft toilet
TAWAU: A 41-year-old Chinese tourist was fined RM6,000, in default three months’ imprisonment, by the Magistrate’s Court here yesterday for smoking in an aircraft lavatory on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau.
Li Jin Ming pleaded guilty before senior court registrar Ferhansha Farene Mohd Ferdaus to a charge under Section 206(2)(a) of the Civil Aviation Regulations, which carries a fine of not more than RM25,000, or a jail term of not more than one year, or both, if convicted.
The facts of the case showed that the accused, together with 10 friends, were flying on AirAsia Flight AK5746 that took off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 for Tawau at 11am on January 16.
The group had intended to stay in Pom-Pom Island, Semporna for two days and return home on January 20, 2018.
The accused entered the lavatory at the rear of the aircraft about 12.30pm, following which the smoke alarm in the cockpit was triggered.
The aircraft captain then instructed one of his crew to inspect the lavatory and found the accused smoking inside. The crew ordered the suspect to stop smoking and seized his cigarette.
The accused was detained by police after the aircraft arrived at the Tawau Airport at 1.47pm.
It was learned that the accused will be referred to the Immigration Department after paying the fine.