RM100 mln pangolin scales case goes to Sessions Court
KOTA KINABALU: The case of a businessman who was charged with attempting to export pangolin scales worth over RM100 million, was transferred to the Sessions Court here.
Magistrate Afiq Agoes made the decision on Chai Kok Hiong, 44, yesterday, at the request of the prosecution.
Prosecuting officer Nanang Lumpat from the Customs Department told the court that he had received an instruction to apply for the transfer since the case involved endangered species.
On September 24, Chai claimed trial before the magistrate to trying to export the pangolin scales worth RM100,570,080 which were found inside two shipping containers at Sepanggar Port here at 2.35pm on July 13, 2017.
The pangolin scales, which are prohibited goods for exportation, were put inside 227 sacks which also contained sea shells and the total weight of the sacks were 8,058.5 kilogrammes.
Chai was charged under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967, punishable under Section 135(1)(iii)(aa) of the same Act and read together under Section 139 of the same Act.
The indictment provides for a fine of not less than 10 times the value of the goods and not more than 20 times the value of the goods, or a jail term of not exceeding three years or both, upon conviction.
Chai was released on RM250,000 bail with RM80,000 to be deposited in two local sureties.
Counsel Dominic Chew acted for the accused.