Indonesian to know fate on Nov 6 over removal of timbers from forest reserve
KOTA KINABALU: An Indonesian man who was charged with illegally removing timbers from a forest reserve in Sapulut, Nabawan, will know his fate at the Sessions Court here on November 6 this year.
Judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamed fixed the decision date for Lukman Sulaiman, 33, after the defence closed its case with two defence witnesses called.
Lukman was accused of removing 21 pieces of timber of various sizes and species from Batu Punggul Forest Reserve Class IV without permission.
He was caught committing the alleged offence at a government land in Kampung Tataluan, Sapulut, Nabawan at 11am on November 4, 2016.
The offence is framed under Section 20 (2) of the Forest Enactment 1968 which provides for a maximum fine of RM500,000 and a jail term of not less than a year but not more than 20 years, upon conviction.
Eight prosecution witnesses were called during the prosecution stage which was conducted at the Sessions Court in Keningau
Lukman is currently detained in custody, pending disposal of the case.
Prosecuting officer from the Forest Department, Peter Jack Empah acted for the prosecution while counsel Ram Singh and Timothy Daut represented Lukman.
Meanwhile, the same court set the ruling date on November 27 this year for another man who was charged with having body parts of Malayan sun bears without a permit.
The judge fixed the date for Tijelo Jacquinn Kuin after the prosecution had completed the prosecution stage by calling five witnesses during the hearing.
Tijelo was alleged to have eight paws, eight canine teeth and two gallbladders of the animal at the parking lot in Tanjung Aru near the Shangri-la’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa, here at 12.10pm on August 8, 2016.
The animal is an endangered species which is fully protected under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.
The offence is framed under Section 41(1) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 which provides for a fine of up to RM50,000 or a jail term of up to five years, or both, upon conviction.
Prosecuting officer Abdul Karim Dakog of the Wildlife Department conducted the prosecution.