SIBU: Six Indonesian men were fined a total of RM12,000 for the possession of protected wildlife and wild birds, including a crocodile and White-rumped Shama also locally known as “Burung Murai Batu”.
Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), in a statement yesterday (July 28), said the six accused pleaded guilty to the charges before the court and paid the fines.
“SFC Sibu Regional Office and Marine Police Region 5 Sibu conducted a joint operation at Jalan Rantau Panjang Trusan on July 21.
“They found and confiscated a crocodile kept illegally by five out of the six accused as it is a protected animal under Section 29(2) of the Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1998,” it said.
SFC added the five accused, who failed to show a valid permit from the Controller of Wild Life, pleaded guilty and were fined RM1,000 each in default three months’ jail.
“Besides that, one of the five accused was also in possession of two Burung Murai Kampung and two Burung Merbok.
“Lastly, the sixth accused was charged under Section 29(2) of the Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1998 for keeping a protected White-rumped Shama,” it explained.
It said the man was charged under Section 37(1)/37(2)(c) of the same ordinance for keeping two wild birds, namely, one Burung Murai Kampung and one Burung Merbok.
“As they failed to show valid permits from the Controller, both men were fined RM1,000 and RM6,000 respectively,” it said.
SFC chief executive officer and Controller of Wild Life, Zolkipli Mohamad Aton said the corporation would continue to step up enforcement against illegal possession of wildlife and its products in Sarawak.
He urged anyone with information on those who were capturing, hunting, trading or keeping protected wildlife could call SFC hotlines at 019-8859996 (Kuching), 019-8883561 (Sibu), 019- 8332737 (Bintulu), or 019-8290994 (Miri).
