Man to know fate over pangolins on May 22

KOTA KINABALU: A self-employed man, who was charged with possessing two live pangolins, will know his fate at the Sessions Court here on May 22 this year.

Judge Elsie Primus fixed the date for the facts in Choo Yau Hock's case to be read and sentencing, at the request of his counsel in order to prepare for his mitigation.

Choo, 58, pleaded guilty to an alternative charge under Section 40 of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term of up to two years or both, upon conviction.

He is alleged to have in his possession the pangolins ( Manis Javanica), a protected species, without legal consent from the director of Wildlife Department, at a house in Jalan Mawas, Taman Foh Sang, Luyang at 4.10pm on February 28, 2017.

Initially, Choo was charged under Section 41(2) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 and punishable under Section 41(4)(b) of the same Enactment, which he denied.

The indictment carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or a jail term of not less than six months and not more than five years or both, upon conviction.

However, counsel Luke Ressa Balang, who represented the accused, wrote a representation letter which the accused was then offered with the alternative charge.

Currently, the accused is released on RM20,000 bail with RM8,000 deposited in a local surety, pending disposal of the case.

Prosecuting officer from the Wildlife Department, Abdul Karim Dakog prosecuted the case.