A rojak seller in Kota Baru, Kelantan, got the shock of his life when he was issued a RM50,000 compound for operating his business after hours.

The more shocking part is that he was just cooking for his children while his wife cleaned up after a long day of running their rojak stall.

"I can't afford to pay"

Berita Harian reported Mohd Azizi Mohd Nor, 42, who sells colek (a type of rojak) outside his home during Ramadan, said that he was shocked when he saw several police officers in front of his house at about 11.20 pm.

"When the police came, my shop was already closed at 10 pm, with most of the lights turned off. Only the kitchen was still open because my wife and I were still cleaning up," he said.

Azizi also said that he was frying keropok for his children when the police came.

"I was shocked when I saw the amount. To even get RM100 every night selling rojak is hard because I am only operating in a kampung area," he said.

Azizi said that he has five children and three of his relative's children to care for and can't afford to pay the fine.

"This is the first time I've been issued a compound, and it's RM50,000. I work as a mechanic and help my wife sell noodles on regular days," he said, adding that he wouldn't be able to pay the fine even if it was RM10,000 and would rather go to jail.

Kelantan police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Shafien Mamat told the Malay daily that the police would call back three stall operators, including the rojak seller, to be offered new compounds according to the stated guidelines.