Indonesian man jailed 12 months for possessing over 2,000 turtle eggs

File photo of green turtle eggs discovered on the Golden Beach at Similajau National Park, Bintulu.

By Dorcas Ting

KUCHING, May 20: The Sessions Court here has sentenced an Indonesian man to 12 months’ imprisonment on Tuesday after admitting to illegally possessing 2,253 turtle eggs at a homestay in Serikin, Bau.

The accused, Supianto, 36, pleaded guilty before Judge Noorhisham Mohd Jaafar to an offence under Section 37(1) of the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998, punishable under Section 37(2)(a) read together with Section 29(1)(c) of the same ordinance.

The law provides for a jail term of up to two years and a fine of RM25,000 for each protected animal or animal part involved, upon conviction.

The court also ordered that the accused be referred to the Immigration Department after completing his prison sentence.

According to the case facts, the arrest was made during an integrated enforcement operation known as ‘Ops Khazanah’, conducted by officers from the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) together with the Region 5 Marine Police Force in Kuching.

The operation was carried out at a homestay in Serikin at about 1pm on May 16 following intelligence gathered by the authorities.

During the raid, enforcement officers detained the accused after discovering thousands of turtle eggs believed to have been kept illegally.

Investigations at the premises led to the seizure of 2,253 turtle eggs, which are classified as parts and derivatives of totally protected wildlife under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.

The eggs were found stored in several baskets and boxes wrapped in black plastic.

Authorities also confiscated RM243 in cash, 43 pieces of RM50 banknotes, a SIM card and a mobile phone during the operation.

Further investigations identified the eggs as originating from the Chelonidae species, which is listed under the First Schedule of the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.

The prosecution was conducted by prosecuting officer Leonard Baring, while the accused was unrepresented. – DayakDaily