Malaysia: Re-mention of wildlife case against Wong's wife on May 8

The Star 9 Apr 14;

BALIK PULAU: The case of wildlife trader Anson Wong’s wife Cheah Bing Shee, charged with illegal possession of five elongated tortoises, a totally protected wildlife species, has been fixed for re-mention on May 8.

Magistrate Muhammad Najib Ismail fixed the date on behalf of Sessions judge Caroline Bee Majanil, who was away.

The court was told that the defence requested for more documents on log books from the prosecution, which has since been taken over by DPP Charanjit Singh from Shahruddin Othman of the Wildlife and National Parks Department.

Cheah, 56, is jointly charged with Syarikat Rona Wildlife Enterprise and its director K. Muthukomar under Section 68(1)(a) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 with keeping three male elongated tortoises (Indotestudo elangota), also known as baning lonjong jantan, without a special permit.

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Cheah, believed to be the manager of Rona Wildlife, Muthukomar and the company are also alleged to have kept two female elongated tortoises without a special permit, an offence under Section 70(1) of the same Act.

They are alleged to have committed the offences at Lot 157, Mukim 1, Pantai Acheh, Balik Pulau, at 1.30pm on Nov 24 last year.

The first offence carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or a jail term of up to three years, or both, while the second offence carries a maximum fine of RM300,000 or a jail term of up to 10 years, or both.

All three are represented by counsel Ramesh Raj.