Feb trial over bid to export RM100 mln pangolin scales

KOTA KINABALU: A businessman who was charged with attempting to export pangolin scales worth over RM100 million will be tried at the Sessions Court here on February 13-15 next year.

Judge Elsie Primus rescheduled the trial date in the case of Chai Kok Hiong, 44, to an earlier date after it was confirmed that relevant documents had been served on him during a pre-trial case management of the case, yesterday.

Chai was alleged to have attempted to export the pangolin scales worth RM100,570,080 found inside two shipping containers at Sepanggar Port near here at 2.35 pm on July 13, 2017.

The pangolin scales, which is prohibited for exportation, were put inside 227 sacks which also contained sea shells and weighing 8,058.5 kilogrammes.

He 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 with Section 139 of the same Act.

The indictment carries a fine of not less than 10 times and not more than 20 times of the value of the goods, or a jail term not exceeding three years or both, upon conviction.

Prosecuting officer Nanang Lumpat from the Customs Department, informed the court that the prosecution would be calling 30 witnesses to testify against the accused.

Chai, represented by counsel Aida Jaafar Md Ariff, is currently released on bail of RM80,000 in a local surety, pending disposal of the case.