Three men who kayaked to Pulau Ubin from Pasir Ris Park during the Circuit Breaker (CB) period have been jailed for four weeks, CNA reported.

In addition, they have also been fined.

Zulman Mashonain and Rizani Sham Mohamed Hussin were both fined S$1,500 given that they had also caught fish and prawns in Chek Jawa, which is an area marked for conservation, while the third man, Mohamed Hafiz Mat Nadar, was fined S$700.

The Straits Times (ST) reported that the three men each pleaded guilty to one count of an offence under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) act.

Prosecution: all three men are "highly culpable" as they gathered for recreational purposes

In its submission to the court, the prosecution stated that all three men were "highly culpable" as their purposes for breaching the regulation against social gatherings was "purely recreational."

According to court documents seen by Mothership, the three men had wanted to enjoy each other's company by kayaking and camping together.

As such, all three of them had gathered at Pasir Ris Park on April 13 at about 7pm.

They then kayaked to Pulau Ubin, arriving at Chek Jawa Wetlands area at around 10pm, whereupon they set up two fires and a camp with hammocks, near a heritage tree, with Zulman and Rizani also using fishing rods to catch fish and prawns — all offences punishable under the Parks and Trees Regulations.

All watercrafts and people have been barred from entering the area since October 2007, and must seek prior approval from the National Parks Board (NParks) if they wish to do so.

The prosecution further noted that the fire had been started using the branches of nearby trees and that there was a risk of "fire spreading to the tree and the forested area, given the dry season."

Spotted by an NParks officer on April 14

The following day, they were spotted by an officer from the National Parks Board at about 10.04am.

He went up to the men and told them to leave the island as it was the Circuit Breaker period.

Subsequently, the three of them packed up and left Chek Jawa at about 2.06pm.

However, instead of heading back, they had their lunch near the Mamam campsite, then kayaked around Pulau Ketam to look for fishing grounds, as well as to "enjoy" the remaining hour before sunset.

Eventually, they returned to Pasir Ris Park at about 7pm.

The prosecution noted that they had spent a total of about 27 hours outside their residences.

For leaving their homes without reasonable excuse and meeting other individuals for social purposes, the three men can be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.

For each offence under the Parks and Trees Regulations, they can be fined up to S$2,000.

Meanwhile, fishing at Chek Jawa Wetlands carries a fine of up to S$5,000.

Top photo by Cattan2011 via Flickr