Indonesian duo fined over RM1.9 mln each for illegal possession of 1,997 turtle eggs

File photo for illustration purposes only. Photo: Pixabay

By Dorcas Ting

KUCHING, Aug 5: Two Indonesian men pleaded guilty to the illegal possession of 1,997 sea turtle eggs and were each fined RM1,997,000 in default six months’ jail.

In addition, Judge Iris Awen Jon also sentenced Antonius Jaka, 24, to four months in prison and Tino, 29, to one month in prison.

The duo, originating from West Kalimantan, pleaded guilty to the charges under Section 37 (1) of the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998 and were sentenced under Section 29(1)(c) read with Section 37(2)(a) of the same ordinance, along with Section 34 of the Penal Code.

According to the charges, they were accused of committing the offence on August 2, around 7pm, at a parking lot on Jalan Rock, Batu 3, Central Park Commercial Centre.

The case facts revealed that a Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) team, along with officers from the Marine Police Region Five Headquarters in Kuching, conducted an integrated operation at the location where they found the two accused.

During the inspection, authorities discovered 20 black plastic bags, each containing turtle eggs.

The accused failed to present any authorisation from the Wildlife Controller for possessing the turtle eggs.

As a result, all the turtle eggs were confiscated, and the accused were detained for further investigation.

The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Ronald Felix Hardin, along with Prosecuting Officers Christie Sereni Philimon and Paddril Peter, while the accused were not represented by legal counsel. — DayakDaily