Five fined RM5,000 each for trespassing on national park, removing objects with geological significance

KUCHING (Oct 15): Five men were each fined RM5,000, in default two-month imprisonment for trespassing on Dared Krian National Park in Bau near here and removing objects with geological significance without the permission of the Controller of National Park and Nature Reserves.

Nopiem Osuan, Boling Ajem, Akim Kadom, Dewin Luwat and Sinding Misok, aged between 45 and 58, pleaded guilty to the charges before Sessions Court Judge Afidah Abdul Rahman here today.

They were fined RM3,000 each for the first offence, and RM2,000 each for the second.

The charges are framed under Section 26 (a) of the National Park and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998, read together with Section 32 (a) of the same ordinance, Section 34 of the Penal Code and Section 38 of the Interpretation Ordinance, 2005.

The five men committed the offences at 4.30pm on Oct 11 this year.

They were caught red-handed by the enforcers from the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), Region 5 Marine Police and Battalion 11 General Operations Force, who were on routine surveillance at the national park area at the time.

When apprehended, it was found that the five men had in their possession gunny sacks containing stones and mineral aggregates, considered as objects with geological significance.

When queried on the spot, the five failed to show that they had permission to remove the objects.

Other items seized from them were hammers, torch lights and hand gloves.

Deputy public prosecutors Simon Engka Crown and Arvin Khan Arman Khan prosecuted the case, while the five accused were not represented by counsel.