By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Sept 27: The Sessions Court here yesterday imposed a fine of RM9,000 each on two Chinese nationals for possessing equipment to capture and release animals and attempting to relocate and release animals in Bako National Park without permission.
Judge Musli Abdul Hamid ordered Zhu Sukai, 18, and Yu Jiashu, 21, to serve six months in prison if they fail to pay the fines.
Both men pleaded guilty to three charges brought against them.
In the first charge, they were accused of violating Section 26(b) of the National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998 and could be punished under Section 32(a) and 31 of the National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998 read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code. They were jointly charged with possessing materials for keeping, taking, and capturing animals without the permission of the National Parks and Nature Reserves Controller.
For the second charge, they were jointly accused of releasing animals into Bako National Park without permission, and they were charged under Section 26(e) of the National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998 and could be punished under Section 32(a) and 31 of the National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998 read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
Additionally, they were also charged with attempting to remove animals and plants (whether living or dead) from the same location without permission, and they were charged under Section 26(f) of the National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998 read together with Section 34 and Section 511 of the Penal Code, and could be punished under Section 32(a) and 31 of the National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998.
All these offenses were committed around 2.01pm in Bako National Park on September 21.
The facts of the case revealed that a team of forest rangers from Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) apprehended the two accused in Bako National Park after they raised suspicion while entering the park carrying large backpacks.
Subsequent investigations found that the accused were in possession of two species of insects, namely scorpions and beetles, which were kept in their backpacks. Furthermore, they were found to have digging tools and laboratory equipment such as specimen collection tubes, Vernier calipers, clamps, and other items in their bags.
Moreover, they failed to produce any evidence of valid authorisation from the National Parks and Nature Reserves Controller to conduct any specimen collection or relocation activities in the park.
Both accused were unrepresented by lawyers, while the prosecution was conducted by SFC Prosecutor Arvin Khan. — DayakDaily
