Indonesian woman gets 3 months jail for possessing turtle eggs

Rachima being escorted by Forestry Department officers.

By Dorcas Ting

KUCHING, June 14: An Indonesian woman was today put behind bars for three months after she pleaded guilty in the Sessions Court to illegally possessing turtle eggs in Malaysia.

Judge Marutin Pagan, in sentencing Rachima, 47, also ordered the accused to be referred to the Immigration Department for deportation upon serving her sentence here.

Rachima was found with 70 turtle eggs at the Serikin Market at about 11.30am on June 1 this year. Turtles are totally protected animals under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.

She was charged under Section 29(1) of the Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1998, and punishable under Section 29(1)(c) of the same Ordinance, which carries imprisonment of up to 2 years and a fine of up to RM25,000.

DPP Hisyamudin Roslan from Sarawak Forestry Department prosecuted, while the accused was not represented. — DayakDaily