STEPHANIE LEE The Star 20 Aug 16;
KOTA KINABALU: A man was slapped with a RM25,000 fine in default three years’ jail after he pleaded guilty to illegal possession of live pangolins and 900g of pangolin scales.
Abdullah Rappe, 56, pleaded guilty before Lahad Datu Sessions Court judge Zaini Fishir on Aug 18.
Abdullah was arrested during a roadblock mounted by the Sabah Wildlife Department at about 7.10am on Feb 20, where he was found with 24 live pangolins, a carcass, and a plastic full of pangolin’s internal organs along with 900g of scales.
The animal and other items were found inside the vehicle he was driving along the Sandakan-Lahad Datu road.
He paid the fine.
Sabah Wildlife Department director William Baya said pangolins were categorised as protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment (WCE) 1997.
“Our department is putting its efforts to upgrade this endangered species to Schedule 1 (Totally Protected) of WCE 1997, “ he said.
Meanwhile, all the live pangolins that were seized during the roadblock have been sent to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre for immediate veterinary care.
A total of 20 pangolins were successfully released back to a forest reserve in Sabah.
“I am glad that the pangolins are now back in the wild and did not end up on someone’s dinner plate or used in traditional Chinese medicine,” Baya said.
Pangolins are deemed as an exotic delicacy among many whereas their parts including the scales are being used as medicine although there has been no proof of medicinal value as yet.
Man fined RM25.000 for illegal possession of pangolins
OLIVIA MIVIL New Straits Times 20 Aug 16;
LAHAD DATU: A 56-year-old man was fined RM25,000 fine for illegal possession of live pangolins and pangolin scales.
The sentence, in default of three years’ jail term, was meted out by Sessions Court judge Zaini Fishir here on Thursday.
Abdullah Rappe pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 41 (2) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for possession of protected wildlife product without permit.
The Sabah Wildlife Department director Dr William Baya said in a statement that Abdullah had pleaded for leniency through his counsel Edward Paul but Prosecuting Officer Augustine Tuuga pressed for harder deterrent sentence to prevent further depletion of the species due to poaching activities.
Abdullah was picked up during a roadblock near Pusat Timbangan JPJ Sandau along Sandakan-Lahad Datu road on Feb 20.
The state Wildlife Department personnel found 24 live pangolins, a carcass, and a plastic bag full of pangolin’s internal organs along with 900g of pangolin scales in his car.
"Those live pangolins received immediate veterinary care at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre upon seizure and 20 of them which had recovered were released back to a forest reserve.
"I am glad those pangolins are now back in the wild instead of ending up on someone’s dinner plate or being used as traditional medicine." said Baya.
