TAIPING: An ex-army officer has been found guilty of carrying out land-clearing activities at Pokok Tanjung Forest Reserve, Gunung Semanggol, Kerian, two years ago without a valid permit.
A. Raman Hashim, 51, was sentenced under Section 32(1) of the National Forestry Act 1984, which allows for five years’ imprisonment and a maximum RM50,000 fine, or both.
However, court judge Mohd Sabri Ismail, after hearing Raman's defence, decided to impose a sentence of two years’ jail and a fine of RM50,000 (failure of payment results in an additional two-year prison term).
In his defence, Raman said he was the sole breadwinner in his family and asked the court to reduce his punishment.
"I have four children who are still schooling and a wife who (doesn’t earn a living). My 74-year-old mother-in-law is also living with me, and she is not in good condition.
"I don't receive a pension and my income is not fixed," said Raman, who served as an army officer from 1983 to 1993.
The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Fadhli Ab Wahab, while the accused was represented by lawyer, Mustafa Ghazali.
The court allowed the sentence to be postponed until an appeal process in the High Court is completed, with RM15,000 bail and one surety.
However, Mohd Sabri ordered the RM50,000 fine to be paid without delay.
Raman had committed the offence, together with a few others, at compartment 18 of the Pondok Tanjung Forest Reserve between 8am on June 6, 2014 and 6pm on Sept 21, the same year.
The group levelled about 30 acres of the forest reserve, causing an estimated loss of RM154,696.13.