SANDAKAN: A businessman was fined RM40,000, in default nine-months jail by the Sessions Court here for importing 27,000 kg of frozen chicken thighs without a license.
Pang Hang Choon, 48, pleaded guilty before judge Zaini Fishir @ Fisal.
The charge stated that Pang had imported 2,700 boxes of frozen chicken thighs equivalent to 27,000 kg from abroad into Sabah without a valid import license from Sabah Veterinary Services Department (DVS).
He had committed the offence on July 15, this year at Jalan Batu 4, in the Telupid district.
The offence under Section 15(1) of the Animal Enactment 2015 provides a fine of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to two years or both, upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, two trucks were detained by the Battalion Task Force of Beluran General Operations Force (GOF) which led to the discovery of the imported frozen chicken thighs.
The trucks were then escorted from Telupid to Sandakan DVS for further action.
A thorough investigation disclosed that the company that imported the frozen chicken was owned by the accused.
All the imported frozen chicken thighs were disposed of in the Telupid area on Oct 5, in accordance with the provisions under Section 62(3) of the Animal Enactment.
During mitigation, the unrepresented accused asked for leniency saying among other things that his business income was not good.
However, prosecuting officer Francis Palikat from the DVS urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence as a lesson to the accused and other would-be offenders.
He highlighted among others that the smuggling issue had various negative effects in terms of the economy and the safety of the people including the risk of Avian influenza or bird flu. The accused paid the fine.
