THREE VIETNAMESE NATIONALS JAILED, FINED RM128.9 MILLION FOR WILDLIFE POSSESSION

KUANTAN, Feb 19  (Bernama) – Three Vietnamese nationals, including two siblings, were fined a total of RM128.9 million and imprisonment ranging from 15 months to 12 years by the Sessions Court here today for possession of wildlife parts without valid permits three years ago.

Judge Maimoonah Aid handed down the sentences on Bui Thi Ngan, 56, her brother Bui Van Noi, 48, and a male friend, Bui Van Anh, 38, after finding the trio guilty of the offences. They are ordered to serve the jail sentences concurrently from the date of their arrest.

The Vietnamese nationals will also serve an additional eight years and six months’ imprisonment if they fail to pay the fine.

They were found in possession of nearly 1,000 parts of various animal species, including pangolins, sun bears, striped leopards, black leopards, clouded leopards, Asian elephants, hogs, wild boars, wolves, porcupines, deer and snakes, which are protected under the First Schedule of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716).

They were jointly charged with committing the offences at a residential premises in Jalan Sungai Lembing, Kampung Sungai Charu, Panching here at 7 pm on Nov 15, 2023.

The charges were framed under Section 68(1)(b) and Section 60(1)(b) of the Wildlife Conservation Act, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code.

Deputy Public Prosecutor of the Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) Amanina Mohamad Anuar appeared for the prosecution, while the three Vietnamese nationals were represented by lawyer Datuk Zaharman Zainal Abidin.

-- BERNAMA