Man caught with 22.14kg of pangolin scales hit with RM28.2 mln fine and jail term

The man was caught and brought to court after he was found to have illegally obtained 22.14kg worth of pangolin scales.

SIBU, Jan 25: In another case of wildlife crime, a 58-year-old man was fined RM28.2 million in default six-months jail by the Sessions Court here today.

The accused had in his possession 28,181 pangolin scales (22.14kg) and other various type of protected birds and wildlife in Kanowit at 10.30am on Jan 21 this year.

He had no valid license or permission from the Controller of Wild Life.

Sessions Court judge Marutin Pagan also sentenced the accused to six months jail after he pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 29(2) of the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998.

Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) in a statement thanked the public and other enforcement agencies for the continuous support in battling wildlife crime in Sarawak.

Members of the public who have information on those who capture, hunt, trade, or keep protected wildlife can call their hotlines at 019-8859996 (Kuching), 019-8883561 (Sibu), 019-8332737 (Bintulu), or 019-8290994 (Miri). — DayakDaily