LIMBANG: Two friends were each fined RM20,000, in default six months in jail, by the Sessions Court here on Friday (Dec 8) for illegally possessing 11,611 eggs of the Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae turtle species without a permit.
Faidznur, 32, and Khairul, 38, each pleaded guilty to one charge read jointly before Judge Monica Linsua.
According to the charge, they jointly possessed 11,611 eggs of the Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae turtle species, which are fully protected animals under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998, without authorisation.
They were accused of possessing the turtle eggs in a four-wheel drive vehicle at the Merapok-Lawas ICQS Complex, around 10am, on June 4, 2022.
Therefore, they were charged under Section 37(2)(a) of the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998, read together with Section 37(1) of the same code, and could be punished under Section 29(1)(c) of the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998, read together with Section 37(2)(a) of the same ordinance.
If found guilty, they could face imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of RM20,000 for each animal and each part of the animal.
According to the case facts, on June 4, 2022, around 10am, a team from the Royal Malaysian Police General Operations Force detained a four-wheel drive vehicle at the Merapok-Lawas ICQS Complex, suspected of carrying protected wildlife.
Upon inspection, both defendants were found to be carrying 11,611 turtle eggs, and the seizure included 13 white boxes, a Cross-Border Passport, and a four-wheel drive vehicle.
During the investigation, the two defendants failed to provide any valid permission or licence to possess the eggs from the Controller of Wildlife.
The investigation revealed that both defendants had kept turtle eggs, which are fully protected animals under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998, without a permit.
The prosecution of the case was led by deputy public prosecutor Alvin Khan, while the two defendants were represented by lawyer Nico Langgie Ngumbang.
It is understood that both defendants have each paid the fine.
