Kuala Lumpur: A freelance writer from the United Kingdom was fined RM700 by the Magistrate's Court here today for trespassing at Terminal 1 of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA T1).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Magistrate Muhammad Bukhori Md Ruslan imposed the fine on Polak Kendon, 57, after he pleaded guilty to the charge. Kendon was accused of entering a protected area at Gate C level five of KLIA T1 without a valid pass at 8.47 pm on January 10.

The charge, brought under Section 5(1) of the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959, carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment, a fine of RM1,000, or both, if convicted.

During mitigation, Kendon's lawyer, Muhammad Aidil Akmal Sharidan, highlighted that his client frequently visited Malaysia and had no prior criminal record in the country. Sharidan suggested that the incident resulted from a misunderstanding between Kendon and the airport's enforcement authorities.

The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur 'Ain Madihah Zulkifli. Kendon subsequently paid the fine.