Elderly man in Sibu fined RM22,800 for illegal possession of protected wildlife parts

SIBU (Aug 2): A 66-year-old man was fined RM22,800 in default nine months imprisonment term by the Sessions Court here today after he pleaded guilty to three counts of violation of Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998.

Ling Sing Lih, who was unrepresented, faced the first charge framed under Section 29(1)(c) of the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998 (Chapter 26) and punishable under the same for possession of 139 tufts of protected Bucerotidae hornbill feathers and 20 tufts belonging of the Great Argus or Phasianidae without license.

He was also found to have in possession a protected sun bear’s skull (Helarctos malayanus) and a Macaca skull without license, all of which are derivatives of wildlife categorised as Protected Animals under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance.

He was framed under Section of 37(1) of the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998 (Chapter 26) and punishable under Section 37(2)(b) read with Section 29(2) of the same ordinance which carries an imprisonment term of one year and a fine of RM10,000 upon conviction.

For the third charge, he was found in possession of 36 Suidae wild boar’s fangs without license.

For this, he was charged under Section 37(1) of the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998 and punishable under Section 37(2)(c) of the same which provides for an imprisonment term of one year and a fine of RM2,000 upon conviction.

He committed the offences on Jan 14, 2022 at 3.45pm at a commercial premises at Jalan Central here.

According to the facts of the case, a team of wildlife officers from Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) conducted an inspection at the commercial premises.

Upon reaching the premises, they met with the accused who is the registered proprietor of the business.

Further investigation found out that the accused has in his possession some protected animal parts without a license.

Sessions Court Judge Marutin Pagan fined the accused RM10,000 in default three months imprisonment term for the first charge, RM2,000 for the second charge in default three months imprisonment term, and RM10,800 for the third charge in default three months imprisonment term.

The accused paid the fine.