ALOR SETAR: A mechanic was arrested for possessing seven fully protected bird species and two protected bird species at his workshop and house.
The 22-year-old man was arrested at his motorcycle workshop in Jalan Tanjung Pauh, Jitra on Wednesday evening.
The Kedah Wildlife and National Park Department (Perhilitan) director Mohamad Hafid Rohani said the birds were found in five mobile cages and one static cage inside the workshop as well as at his house which was located behind the workshop.
Besides selling the birds directly to the buyers, Hafiz said it was believed that the suspect was also selling the birds via social media including Facebook.
Among the birds seized were the white-rumped sharma (murai batu), watercock (burung ayam-ayam) and white shouldered kite (lang sewah).
He said the birds were caught locally and sold for the local market.
"The man, believed to have been operating his illegal wildlife trade since six months ago, will be remanded for four days.
"He is staring at a maximum of RM100,000 in fines if found guilty for possessing the fully protected species and up to RM50,000 in fines for the protected species," he told a press conference at the Wildlife Conservation Centre at Bukit Pinang here today.