Man fined RM25,000 for having pangolins
Published on: Sunday, August 21, 2016
Lahad Datu: A local man was fined RM25,000 or 36 months' jail for having live pangolins as well as pangolin scales.Sessions Court Judge Zaini Fishir handed the sentence to Abdullah Rappe, 56, after he pleaded guilty to having the 25 live pangolins and 900gm of pangolin scales.Abdullah committed the offence at the Road Transport Department weighing centre in Sandau off Jalan Sandakan-Lahad Datu around 7.10am on Feb 20, this year.
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He was arrested during a roadblock conducted by the Wildlife Department.The offence was framed under Section 41(2) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment (WCE) 1997.Abdullah, who was represented by counsel Edward Paul, pleaded for leniency.However, Prosecuting Officer Augustine Tuuga from the Wildlife Department pressed for a deterrent sentence saying that hunting of pangolins for trade has led to a depletion of the species' population in Sabah.
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Abdullah paid the fine.Meanwhile, Wildlife Department Director William Baya said the pangolin is a protected species (Schedule 2) under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.
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"The department is putting its efforts to upgrade this endangered species to Schedule 1 (Totally Protected) of WCE 1997.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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