Kelantan brothers rake in big money with homemade cast nests

 

Previously, Mohd Ilham Che Omar, 25, and his younger brother Mohd Shariman, 19, received less than 20 orders a month, but since March, the demand for their cast nets has risen to more than double.

Mohd Ilham said the requests are coming not only from locals, but people from Pahang, Johor and Terengganu.

He believes the financial problems suffered by the majority of their buyers have prompted them to buy the cast nets for fishing.

"Most of them, who operate their own businesses or are odd-job workers, told me that the MCO and other movement restrictions have caused their income to drop drastically.

"Therefore, they have no other choice except to find other sources of income, and the only thing on their mind is to search for fish to sell at local markets.

"This is the fastest way they can earn money, especially during the monsoon season, when a lot of freshwater fish can easily be caught at flooded areas," said the third of six siblings.

With the help of his brother, Mohd Ilham said they managed to complete at least 50 cast nets in a month and sell them for between RM180 and RM250, depending on their size and length.

"Although our hands were full, we are happy with the income we received.

"Our cast nets are different from others, as we use quality nylon and also good rope to make the nets," said Mohd Ilham when met at their home in Kampung Bukit Lata here. - NST