Malaysia: Fined for having skinned mouse deer

New Straits Times 24 Jun 11;

KUANTAN: Three men were fined RM15,000 each, after they pleaded guilty to illegally having in their possession skinned mouse deer.

The trio, Rusly Mohd Jamin, 51, from Felda Pasoh 2, Negri Sembilan, Mohamed Nazri Hashim, 69, from Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur and Muhammad Ismail, 44, from Kampung Melayu Subang, Shah Alam admitted to the offence before Sessions Court judge Fathiyah Idris.

However, only Rusly paid the fine while Nazri and Muhammad failed to raise the amount and were sent to the Pengkalan Chepa Prison in Kelantan.

Rusly was charged with possessing two pieces of grilled meat belonging to the endangered Lesser Malayan Mouse-Deer (Tragulus Javanicus) without proper permit.

It was found in a Suzuki Vitara vehicle at Kampung Orang Asli Rantau Panjang jetty in Kedaik, Rompin.

Rusly is said to have committed the offence about 12.30pm on Jan 16.

Nazri and Muhammad were charged with possessing three skinned mouse deer without the necessary permit about 12.25pm on Feb 6.

The duo committed the offence inside a Toyota Hilux vehicle at Jalan Ladang Felda Terapai 3 in Pekan.

Since the Lesser Malayan Mouse-Deer is a protected species, the trio were charged under Section 60(1)(a) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 which carries a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or a jail term of up to two years or both.