04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Umie Aida fined over RM1k by New Zealand authorities for undeclared apple
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian actress Datin Seri Umie Aida, 51, whose full name is Umi Khalsum Rahmad Ali, was recently fined NZD400 (approximately RM1,024) by Biosecurity New Zealand after an undeclared apple was discovered in her handbag upon her arrival at Auckland Airport.
The incident, which Umie Aida shared on Instagram Threads, occurred when a scanner at immigration detected the fruit.
The actress admitted that the oversight was due to her own carelessness and viewed it as a valuable lesson.
"I did not bring food to New Zealand because I wanted to avoid problems like this," she explained in a recent video posted to her social media.
"But, while I was at MAS Golden Lounge at KLIA, I took the apple intending to eat it on board the flight."
She further elaborated, "However, I fell asleep and forgot about the apple. When I arrived in New Zealand, and when the officers found it, I was immediately imposed a fine."
Umie Aida emphasised the importance for all travellers to be mindful of the immigration regulations of the countries they visit.
Umie Aida has been in New Zealand since July 1 to film a new drama series, where she stars alongside Nora Danish, Datuk Remy Ishak, and Fattah Amin.
