Immigrant sentenced to a year's jail and RM25,000 fine for killing turtles

 By Olivia Miwil - June 3, 2021 @ 8:08pm

The 33-year-old undocumented migrant, who was unrepresented, committed the offence at Tun Sakaran marine park off Bohey Dulang in Semporna on May 19. - NST/file pic.

TAWAU: The Sessions Court here has sentenced a man to a year's jail and RM25,000 fine for killing endangered species.

If he fails to pay the fine, he faces in default an additional two years of imprisonment.

Judge Awang Kerisnada Awang Mahmud meted the sentence under Section 48(1)(C) of the Sabah Parks Enactment 1984 (Amendment 2007) against Malson Alkusani today.

The 33-year-old undocumented migrant, who was unrepresented, committed the offence at Tun Sakaran marine park off Bohey Dulang in Semporna on May 19.

On that day, around 1pm, the park enforcement unit found the accused collecting seven turtle's plastron and marginal scales into a drum.

"Further inspection at the site also found a tool to catch turtles, a spear and a hook or sickle believed to be used to capture and kill the turtle.

"An expert analysis report confirmed that seven plastrons and 14 marginal scales were from the green turtle species, which is one of the endangered turtle species in Sabah waters."