By DayakDaily Team
SIBU, June 18: The Sessions Court here has sentenced two Indonesian nationals to four months in prison and fined them RM40,000 each after finding them guilty of illegally collecting forest produce without a valid licence.
The offence, committed under Section 90(1) of the Forest Ordinance 2015 [Cap. 71], involved the unauthorised collection of 372 logs of various sizes and species at KM 76, Jalan Sibu–Selangau on April 14, 2025.
According to a statement, both individuals were also ordered to pay an additional RM1,352,107.30 — 10 times the value of the seized forest produce — to the Sarawak government, in accordance with Section 91(2) of the Forest Ordinance.
Sessions Court Judge Tuan Musyiri Bin Peet handed down the sentence on Wednesday (June 18) after the accused were found guilty under Section 90(1) and punishable under Section 90(2), read with Section 79 of the Forest Ordinance and Section 34 of the Penal Code.
The two were unrepresented in court. They have failed to settle the fines and are currently serving their jail terms at Sibu Central Prison.
Meanwhile, four other accused, all Malaysian nationals, are still undergoing trial for similar offences.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Justin Lau and Forest Department prosecuting officer Adrian Markus Terang.
The Sarawak Forest Department reiterated its commitment to cracking down on illegal logging and the unauthorised collection of forest produce.
The department said it would continue to carry out investigations, enforcement actions, and prosecutions against any individuals or companies found violating forestry laws in Sarawak. — DayakDaily
