KUALA LUMPUR: The RM1.56 million fine imposed on two Vietnamese poachers by the Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court on Wednesday was the highest ever fined issued for wildlife offences, said Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry.
“The amount was the highest ever fine imposed involving wildlife offences in the nation’s history," said its Minister
Dr Xavier Jayakumar today.
The minister was referring to the case involving two illegal hunters, Vietnamese poachers Hoang Van Viet, 29 and Nguyen Van Thiet, 26, who were sentenced to two years jail, as well as being fined RM1.56 million.
The duo will also face another additional 16 years behind bars if they fail to pay the RM1.56 million fine.
The duo were sentenced after they pleaded guilty to 20 charges under Section 29 (1) (b) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 for possession of snares, Section 68 (2) (c), Section 68 (1) (b) Section 60 (1) (b) of the same act for having in possession wildlife parts from fully protected species, namely that of desert goat, black panther, leopard, tapir, sun bear, wild cat and wild boar among others.
According to the charge, they allegedly used 22 snares and had in their possession various organs and parts of animals such as desert goat’s bile, black panther claws, leopard’s fangs and claws, Tapir bones, Sun Bear’s bile and bones as well as wild cat’s claws and fangs.
Xavier said the two Vietnamese illegal hunters were detained by the Wildlife Protection and National Parks (Perhilitan) special tactical team - Special Protected Area Response Team (Sparta).
He said the Sparta team tracked down the two Vietnamese illegal hunters under Ops Belang on April 19 in Taman Negara Terengganu.
“I and all the people of the Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources, in particular Perhilitan, welcomed the court's decision which has opened new hope in the ministry's efforts to combat crime against wildlife”.
Xavier also said the court’s decision on the case would also prove to be a catalyst for the ministry to intensify its efforts to combat wildlife crime as well as against those elements who seek to destroy Malaysia’s wildlife and natural resources, more so that which involves poaching of endangered Malaysian wildlife.
“The sentence imposed on the two Vietnam nationals is hoped would prove to be a bar against those who have a malicious intention to undermine wildlife for their own selfish ends.
“Illegal hunters are traitors to the nation and as such there is no place for them in Malaysia,” said Xavier.