PORT KLANG: A contractor landed a 1.33kg kurau fish and emerged winner of the Cabaran Joran Pangkalan Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) Pulau Indah here, today.
For his feat, Muhamad Faiz Mat Ruzi, 25, took home a cash prize of RM10,000.
Luck was certainly on his side, as two other anglers had also caught fish of the same weight. However, Faiz won by virtue of being the first to land his catch.
An elated Faiz said he had not expected to win.
"I've taken part in many fishing competitions all over the country, but had only won either second place, or consolation.
He added that the expenditure to enter the competition – which came to just RM120 for the entrance fee, fish bait and fuel costs – was more than worthwhile.
Nor Azhar Mohammed Hussien, 50, came in second and took home a cash prize of RM2,000; while third place went to Badrul Hisham Bakhtiar Jamali, 34, who netted RM1,000.
Present at the event was director general of National Hydrographic Centre Rear Admiral, Hanafiah Hassan.
Meanwhile, organising chairman of the programme, Lieutenant Muhammad Nabbil Faiz Alias, said that the competition attracted 1,186 entries from various states, including Johor, Perlis, and Terengganu.
"It was organised in conjunction with the 85th TLDM Day.
“The competition offered anglers an opportunity to fish at the Pulau Indah TLDM jetty, which measures almost 500 meters.
"The jetty is actually a no-fishing zone. It is a fishing haven with such species as senangin, grouper, bawal and gelama," he added.